EU KIDS Act proposal would switch AI companions off by default for children
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed the EU KIDS ACT on 17 September, which would apply to online services used by minors. The proposal covers social media as well as games, app stores and AI chatbots, and would keep AI companions switched off by default.
Who is affected and how
- edtech company
- For chatbot and companion products that reach children, age verification and default restrictions must be built in at the design stage.
- education policymaker
- National school AI rules should be aligned with the proposed EU framework.
- parent
- Under the proposal, AI companions would be switched off by default for children.
- school leader
- Schools should expect stricter age limits on devices and platforms.
Sources
- EU KIDS Act: AI Companions Must Be Off by Default for Kids -securechildrensnetwork.org · Sep 21, 2026
- EU Kids Act Would Turn Off AI Chatbots for Minorstechjournal.org · Sep 23, 2026
- EU Kids Act Won't Keep the Internet Accountable and Trustworthy | AI Law Intelligence | AL Hukukalhukuk.com · Sep 21, 2026
- EU Kids Act Won't Keep the Internet Accountable and Trustworthy | Electronic Frontier Foundationeff.org · Sep 21, 2026
- Bird & Bird: The EU KIDS Act, A new generation of rules for child online safety | Irish Legal Newsirishlegal.com · Sep 21, 2026
- How is the EU improving children's online safety? Ask the Euronews AI chatbot!hu.euronews.com · Sep 21, 2026 · magyar
- How can Europe boost kids’ safety online? Ask the Euronews AI chatboteuronews.com · Sep 21, 2026
- How is the EU improving kids’ safety online? Ask the Euronews AI chatbot - Newswavnewswav.com · Sep 21, 2026
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