European Commission proposes EU Kids Act to enhance digital safety

The European Commission has introduced the EU Kids Act, a proposal aimed at strengthening the protection of minors in the digital environment. The initiative responds to data from the European Commission indicating that one in six adolescents aged 11 to 15 has experienced cyberbullying.

The proposal emphasizes proactive safety, requiring digital platforms and services to integrate protection measures from their initial design. Key provisions include a gradual access model for social media: access would be restricted for children under 13, while 13 and 14-year-olds would require supervised accounts managed by parents or guardians.

Additional measures focus on reducing compulsive platform use, limiting unwanted contacts, and protecting minors from harmful content. The Act also seeks to improve privacy through default security settings, regulating the use of geolocation, cameras, and microphones. Furthermore, it includes age verification tools, parental controls, and specific limits on the use of chatbots and virtual assistants to prevent unhealthy dependencies.