The EU Kids Act: Why This Law Relieves You as a Parent

The EU Kids Act: Why This Is a Real Step Forward for You as a Parent

Does this sound familiar? Your child is already asking for TikTok, WhatsApp, or Instagram, but you’re wondering if it’s truly safe and healthy. The European Commission takes these concerns seriously. During the State of the Union address, President Ursula von der Leyen announced the EU Kids Act. What exactly does it entail, and why does it matter for your family? Let’s break it down.

Why This Law Takes the Pressure Off You as a Parent

Until now, the pressure has largely fallen on you. Parents have been expected to navigate and supervise their child’s digital world on their own, while apps and platforms evolve at breakneck speed. The new rules shift this responsibility partly onto tech companies and governments. This means: consistent regulations across Europe, less hassle with conflicting national laws, and a safer online space where you don’t constantly have to play ‘digital police’.

What Changes in Practice?

Based on the leaked draft of the law, several practical measures are emerging. Platforms will now be required to account for children’s developmental stages. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Children under 15 will no longer be allowed to create personal social media accounts without parental supervision. Between ages 13 and 15, kids will get limited “mini-accounts” with restricted features and time limits. Full access remains prohibited for children under 3.
• Addictive features like endless scrolling, artificial notifications, and certain reward systems will be banned.
• Apps and platforms must default to safe settings. Algorithms won’t be allowed to steer children toward extreme or harmful content, privacy will be set to “private” by default, and contact from strangers will be disabled.
• Platforms will take responsibility for implementing reliable and privacy-friendly age verification. The burden of compliance now rests squarely on the companies themselves.
• These rules apply not only to social media, but also to video platforms, online games, and AI chatbots that offer advice on mental health or personal development.

Monimentor’s Perspective on the Measures

We welcome the EU Kids Act as a crucial step in the right direction. Our vision aligns perfectly with this: we’ve long advocated for a “digital playground” rather than a “digital fence.” The proposal includes strong protective measures, such as the ban on endless scrolling and the requirement for safe default settings. This significantly lowers the barrier for you as a parent.

At the same time, we emphasize that legislation alone isn’t enough. A simple age limit won’t help if we don’t invest in media literacy and ongoing conversations. The “mini-accounts” for ages 13 to 15 are a smart transitional step, but they do require active guidance. You, as a parent, remain the most important compass. The law’s goal isn’t to shield your child from the digital world, but to make the waters safe so they can learn to swim confidently on their own later on. Please note: the final text still needs approval from the European Parliament and the Council. The current rules are a proposal, but the direction is clear. An important caveat we cannot overlook: the harmful effects of these platform designs unfortunately do not stop at age 15. Why do we accept the same addictive algorithms, endless scrolling, and manipulative designs for adults, while labeling them as dangerous for children? Genuine digital health requires a broader perspective on platform design, regardless of age.

Ready for the Next Step?

The EU Kids Act makes the online world a lot safer for your child. But the real foundation is laid at home. Talk with your child about what they do online, set up agreements together, and use the new safety settings that will soon become available. Do you want practical tips for media-savvy parenting or help with making screen time agreements? Check out our media literacy tools or feel free to contact us. Together, we make the digital playground safe for your child.