EU Kids Act proposes strict age verification for digital platforms

The European Commission has proposed the EU Kids Act, a legislative initiative aimed at creating a child-safe internet. Under this proposal, social media platforms, video services, and gaming apps would be required to provide child-friendly versions of their services. A central component of the act involves strict age verification measures, such as using ID data or biometric face scanning (age estimation), to ensure minors are protected from risks like direct contact with strangers.

These proposed controls have faced significant criticism from privacy experts, legal professionals, and educators. Critics argue that the infrastructure required for age and parental consent verification would impact all users, including adults, and could pose risks to data privacy and IT security. The proposal moves away from milder methods, such as parental control software, in favor of a comprehensive EU-wide verification infrastructure.

In parallel with these regulatory discussions, concerns persist regarding the practical risks of nighttime smartphone use among children. Unmonitored access to gaming, messaging, and AI chatbots during late hours can lead to unintended social interactions and extended screen time, even when parents are unaware of the active device usage.