The Commission’s proposal extends beyond traditional social networks, targeting a wide range of online services including video sharing platforms, video games, and AI companions. Under the new framework, platforms must prove they are safe by design, shifting the burden of compliance directly onto the companies. Commission president Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that protecting young users remains a primary objective of the legislative package.

This move aligns with a tightening global regulatory landscape. Australia recently enacted a ban for children under 16, while individual EU member states such as France, Poland, and Denmark have already initiated their own legislative efforts to restrict access. The EU proposal must still undergo negotiations among member states and European lawmakers before it can transition into enforceable law across the bloc.