EU KIDS Act Commission proposal (child online safety beyond DSA)

Refresh note (20 September 2026): Folded this week’s trade-press and Video Games Europe reaction into the pending change-log. Commission primary re-checked. Still a proposal, not final law.

On 17 September 2026 the European Commission adopted the EU KIDS Act proposal (“EU Keeping Internet Digital Spaces Accountable and Trustworthy”). This is a legislative proposal submitted to the European Parliament and Council — not final EU law on the date of this check (Commission explainer).

What the proposal would change

The proposal prohibits social media platforms from accessing children under 13 and sets an EU-wide minimum age of 15 for minors to open an autonomous account, with a gradual approach (parent-supervised “mini accounts” for 13–14). It reverses the burden of proof so providers must show services are age-appropriate and safe by design. Scope language on Commission pages covers online services used by minors including social media, video-sharing, online games, AI companions/chatbots and app stores.

Secondary reporting this week (PocketGamer.biz; Mobilegamer.biz citing Video Games Europe) adds operator-facing detail attributed to Commission FAQ material: app stores age-rating every app/game with a published methodology; restrictions discussed for features such as push notifications and streak mechanics; mandatory age-assurance tools including the EU age verification app. Treat FAQ/feature lists as proposal-stage descriptions until the adopted Regulation text is published.

No calendar application date exists until co-legislators adopt a text and it is published in the Official Journal.

Trade reaction (17 September)

Video Games Europe, as reported by Mobilegamer.biz, broadly supported child-protection aims while cautioning against sweeping age-assurance measures applicable to every game and player, calling for PEGI/USK as de facto standards, parental responsibility in access decisions, and a public consultation. That is a trade-body position, not Commission text.

Operator action

Do not write this as if the Regulation already applies with a fixed clock.

Research checked 20 September 2026. Local refresh; named human review still required before CMS publish.