Proposed EU Kids Act Could Bring Strict Age Verification to Online Gaming
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
The European Commission's proposed EU Kids Act could introduce strict tiered accounts and mandatory age verification for online games and digital services accessed by players under fifteen.
The European Commission is preparing to introduce the EU Kids Act, a sweeping piece of legislation that could fundamentally change how younger players access online games, social media, and AI chatbots across the region. According to reporting by outlets like Politico, Reuters, and Euronews, the proposed rules would establish a tiered account system for anyone under the age of fifteen. The initiative builds on mounting pressure from member states like Spain and the Netherlands to include interactive entertainment alongside social platforms under strict regulatory oversight.
Under the current draft, the legislation would severely restrict account creation based on exact age brackets. Children under thirteen would be restricted to strictly vetted services with total parental control, while teenagers between thirteen and fifteen would need parental permission for introductory accounts featuring built-in screen time limits and communication restrictions. Only users fifteen and older would be permitted to create independent accounts. To enforce these tiers, platforms would likely have to implement robust age verification methods, such as facial estimation software, official identity documents, or credit card checks.
While the European Commission frames the proposal as a necessary safeguard to protect minors from exploitation and limit tech corporate reach, the plans are already drawing criticism regarding digital privacy and user anonymity. As highlighted by Rock Paper Shotgun, the act remains purely a proposal for now. It still faces heavy debate and potential revision across European parliaments, particularly given the current lack of clear definitions around which specific titles or digital spaces would be classified as high risk for younger audiences.
Tags: Gaming Industry, Regulation, PC Gaming, Console Gaming, Cloud Gaming
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun