EU Proposes Age Verification Rules to Protect Young Social Media Users

WHO:

Techmeme - The European Union (EU) is involved in proposing new regulations.

Mashable - The EU is the organization planning to implement these restrictions.

WHAT:

Techmeme - The proposed Kids Act would require social networks to use age verification tools to prevent users under 15 from opening accounts.

Techmeme - The Kids Act would also ban users under 13 from accessing social media platforms.

Mashable - The law aims to "enhance the online safety of children."

WHERE:

Techmeme - The regulations are proposed by the European Union, which encompasses multiple member states.

WHEN:

Techmeme - The proposal needs to be negotiated and adopted by EU lawmakers and member states before it can take effect.

WHY:

Mashable - The motivation behind the law is to enhance the online safety of children.

HOW:

Techmeme - The Kids Act would implement age verification tools as a method to restrict access based on age.

(UPDATED September 17, 2026 11:59 UTC)

The European Union is proposing new regulations aimed at enhancing the online safety of children, specifically through a law known as the Kids Act. This act would require social networks to implement age verification tools to prevent users under 15 from opening accounts and would ban access to social media platforms for those under 13. Before these regulations can take effect, they must be negotiated and adopted by EU lawmakers and member states.