Following age verification laws in the US, UK, and Australia, the EU will require online age verification for services including games, AI, and social media, per Euractiv. The draft EU Kids Act targets mental health risks for children, citing data showing pre-10 social media users report 7.5 hours of weekend screen time versus 5.7 hours for those starting after 14. It warns of social pressures, isolation, learning issues, and exposure to distressing content. The act also addresses AI dangers, including deepfakes, harmful chatbot advice, and personal data misuse by platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Current EU frameworks are deemed insufficient to protect users.

The legislation proposes strict age limits: social media is banned for children 0-3, requires parent-controlled accounts for ages 3-13, and allows 'introductory accounts' for ages 13-15 with peer contact limits and screen time restrictions. Tech companies must comply with minimum age and safe design requirements, shifting responsibility to platforms rather than children. The act's broad scope covers AI services and online gaming, aiming to restrict access to protect minors. Implementation details remain pending as the draft legislation awaits final approval.