EU and Greece propose age limits to combat social media addiction

KIDS Act social media addiction age restrictions digital child protection EU Commission

The European Commission has presented the KIDS Act, a legislative proposal aimed at protecting minors from the risks of social media, including addiction and harmful content. Under the proposed rules, children under 13 would be prohibited from holding social media accounts. For 13- and 14-year-olds, the act introduces parent-managed ‘mini-accounts’ featuring restricted contacts and a maximum daily usage limit of one hour. Full independent accounts would only be permitted from age 15.

In Greece, Minister of State Akis Skertsos is advancing a similar bill to prohibit social media use for those under 15, effective January 1, 2027. The Greek proposal includes mechanisms for age verification and mandates that platforms alter addictive algorithms. Non-compliance could result in fines of up to 6% of a company’s annual turnover.

These legislative moves follow data indicating rising addiction rates among youth. A Postbank study found that 80% of 16- to 18-year-olds perceive social media addiction in their social circles. Additionally, research from DAK-Gesundheit suggests over a quarter of children and adolescents use social media in a risky or pathological manner, with approximately 350,000 minors considered addicted.

Entities

Akis Skertsos · City of Nuremberg · Cornelia Trinkl · DAK-Gesundheit · EU Kids Act · European Commission · Greece · Postbank · University of Bochum

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] 13- and 14-year-olds would use parent-managed 'mini-accounts' with a one-hour daily limit. kontrast.at
[○ 1 SOURCE] The EU Commission presented the KIDS Act on September 17, 2026. kontrast.at
[● 13 SOURCES] 80% of 16- to 18-year-olds surveyed believe people in their environment are addicted to social media. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.halternerzeitung.de · www.marler-zeitung.de · www.nn.de · www.dk-online.de · +8 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] The German government plan includes deactivating addiction-promoting designs and algorithmic recommendation mechanisms. www.nordbayern.de
[● 13 SOURCES] More than a quarter of children and adolescents use social media in a risky or pathological manner. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.halternerzeitung.de · www.marler-zeitung.de · www.nn.de · www.dk-online.de · +8 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Children under 13 would be prohibited from having social media accounts under the KIDS Act. kontrast.at
[○ 1 SOURCE] The German federal government has approved a plan for child and youth protection on social media. www.nordbayern.de
[● 13 SOURCES] Approximately 350,000 children and adolescents are considered addicted to social media. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.halternerzeitung.de · www.marler-zeitung.de · www.nn.de · www.dk-online.de · +8 more