Signal EU set to propose social media and AI chatbot ban for under-15s in State of the Union address

Summary

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers her annual State of the Union address in Strasbourg on September 16, 2026. The EU plans to propose restricting under-15s from social media, video-sharing platforms, AI chatbots, and online games, described as its most sweeping child online-safety plan to date. The proposal forms the core of an 'EU Kids Act,' to be formally presented by von der Leyen and EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen on September 17. Some details of the plan are expected to be previewed during the September 16 speech. The proposal responds to mounting concern about the impact on children's health and safety from major platforms including Meta's Facebook and Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and ChatGPT.