The EU wants to protect children online. What about everyone else?

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-24T07:25:05.170Z • Permanent link

Regulators in the European Union have taken a significant step forward in their efforts to protect minors online. The EU Kids Act, which aims to safeguard children from addictive platform designs, has been met with both praise and criticism. Critics argue that the proposed regulations may inadvertently exclude vulnerable groups, such as disabled users, migrants, and the undocumented.

The proposed regulations are set to come into effect in 2024, with many tech companies, including social media giants like Facebook and Google, already working to implement the changes. EU regulators have been under pressure to address concerns over the impact of social media on children's mental health and well-being. EU Commissioner for Digital Services, Mamoun Ghawal, has stated that the EU Kids Act will "ensure that our digital services are designed in a way that promotes children's online safety and well-being".

Industry insiders have welcomed the move, with many companies already announcing plans to overhaul their platforms to meet the new regulations. However, some have expressed concerns over the feasibility of implementing such changes, particularly for smaller companies. EU lawmakers have vowed to provide support and guidance to help companies comply with the new regulations.

EU regulators' efforts to protect minors online have significant implications for the data-driven industry. Companies that rely on social media advertising, such as Google and Facebook, will need to adapt to new guidelines on user data protection and online advertising. Researchers who study the impact of social media on children's behavior will also need to reassess their methods and data collection practices.

Several major research communities, including the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) and the International Association of Social Science and Technology (IASSIST), have already begun to address the issue of online safety and data protection. However, more work needs to be done to ensure that these regulations are enforced effectively and consistently across all EU member states.

The EU Kids Act is part of a larger pattern of regulatory efforts aimed at protecting children's online safety. Similar regulations have been introduced in countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom, where lawmakers have also sought to address concerns over social media's impact on children's mental health. However, the EU's approach is distinct, reflecting a commitment to EU-wide cooperation and coordination on data protection and online safety.