Staff Reports
The European Commission is set to unveil a draft “EU Kids Act” this week, and yes — it reaches into the video games you play. President Ursula von der Leyen and Executive Vice‑President Henna Virkkunen will preview the plan during the State of the Union and publish the proposal shortly after. This is not a small tweak. It would force age verification across social media, online games, and even some AI chatbots.
What the EU Kids Act would do
Under the draft, platforms would have to verify the age of anyone opening a new account. The proposal covers social media, video‑sharing sites, online gaming services, and certain AI “companions.” The Commission says it has built a European age‑verification app that is “technically ready” and designed to protect privacy. The draft also reportedly sets a minimum age around 15 for autonomous accounts, with tiered, parent‑controlled options for younger kids. On top of that, platforms may be asked to help pay enforcement costs.
Age checks for gamers and AI companions
Gamers should take note: this isn’t just about TikTok. Game companies would need to add age checks when players register. Other countries’ rollouts show how messy that can get — some firms have forced players to upload ID, scan faces, or use credit cards just to prove age. Steam’s credit‑card checks in one country and PlayStation’s verification tied to communication features are recent examples that left many users frustrated and locked out. The EU says its tool will limit data exposure, but history reminds us that good intentions don’t stop leaks or user exclusion.
Why this should worry you
This proposal raises two plain problems: privacy and scope creep. Once you build systems that verify age, it’s a short step — and a tempting one for regulators — toward broader “digital ID” uses. Data from age checks could create new targets for hackers, or become fodder for bureaucratic mission creep. There are also fairness issues: not everyone has a credit card, a smartphone with a front camera, or a national digital wallet. The consequence could be older adults locked out of services they used for years, and small platforms crushed by compliance costs.
Next steps and what to watch
The Commission will publish the text, then the European Parliament and member states will debate it. Watch for the exact legal language on permitted verification methods, data minimization rules, cost‑sharing clauses, and whether legacy accounts are exempted. Lawmakers should ask hard questions: can protection for kids be achieved without creating a new surveillance system or imposing heavy costs on everyday users? Parental controls, education, and better enforcement of existing rules deserve attention before sweeping digital ID machinery is built into every game and chatbot. If Brussels insists on marching down this path, voters and industry should make sure it doesn’t turn from child safety into a one‑size‑fits‑all control scheme.
