Unified child protection online urged

The European Commission has called for a unified strategy to protect children on the internet, opposing a patchwork of different rules across the European Union's member states. It argues that varied national laws could create confusion and leave children vulnerable.

KIDS Act introduces strict age limits

The KIDS Act, proposed by the European Commission on September 17, includes a ban on social media for children under 13 and a "mini account" system for those aged 13 to 15. These accounts are linked to a parent's account and have a daily time limit of one hour. Children over 15 can use "safe" services with full autonomy.

Existing laws vary across countries

Several EU countries have already introduced or are considering laws to restrict minors' access to social media. France and Greece have passed such laws, while others are moving in the same direction. However, these laws differ in details, leading to potential conflicts and overlaps.

Delay for conflicting national laws

To avoid a fragmented regulatory system, the European Commission has decided to delay by twelve months any national legislation that would conflict with the KIDS Act. France and Greece are not affected because their laws were submitted before the KIDS Act was proposed. Austria, which introduced a law in July banning social media for those under 14, is also not exempt.

Commission warns of regulatory chaos

Thomas Regnier, a Commission spokesperson, said a fragmented approach would lead to different age limits and laws across member states, complicating enforcement and potentially leaving children without proper protection. He emphasized the Commission's goal of maintaining a unified internal market while safeguarding children.

Austria plans to finalize its law soon

Austria aims to complete its legislative work by January 2027 and reach a political agreement by March 2027. If negotiations are delayed, the country may seek approval from the Commission for national initiatives. Vice President Henna Virkkunen has been in discussions with Austrian officials, highlighting the strong cooperation between the Commission and Austria.