European commission proposes age limits for social media accounts

On September 17, 2026, the European Commission introduced the EU KIDS Act, a legislative proposal aimed at protecting minors from risks associated with online environments. The initiative seeks to restrict the creation of autonomous accounts by children under the age of 15 on social media and video-sharing platforms, while addressing potential dangers from artificial intelligence systems.

The proposal aims to harmonize national regulations across all European Union member states to create a cohesive digital single market and ensure a consistent level of protection. A core component of the initiative is the requirement for platforms to implement 'safety by design,' shifting the responsibility to service providers to demonstrate that their systems are secure for younger users. The proposal is structured around four pillars, including the temporal management of media usage.

Public consultation for the EU KIDS Act remains open until December 3, 2026, after which the text will be submitted to the European Parliament. In Cyprus, the Radio and Digital Services Authority is acting as the National Coordinator for Digital Services and is closely monitoring the development of this regulatory framework to ensure local compliance and integration.