The draft sets up staged access, with more allowed as children get older:

• Under 3 No access to any of these services

• 3 to 12 Accounts only on child-friendly services, fully controlled by parents, with limited contact between users and time limits

• 13 to 14 Parents can ask for introductory accounts on social media and video-sharing platforms, with limited contact and time limits

• 15 and over Young people can open their own accounts, subject to the usual limits on adult content

Companies would have to remove addictive feeds and use age verification to open new accounts and download video games. They would also pay a supervisory fee to fund enforcement.

The draft now goes to the European Parliament and EU member states, which must agree final terms. Tech Policy Press expects the rules to come into force in 2028 at the earliest, based on typical EU timelines, and says the proposals will likely change.

Tubefilter places the plan alongside Australia's limits on children's social media use and the age verification added by Roblox and Discord. It also notes that digital rights advocates have warned stricter rules could be used against marginalised groups and adult creators.

If the draft passes as it stands, under-15s in the EU would reach social and video platforms only through accounts controlled or opened by parents, with time limits. Creators with younger teen viewers in Europe may find that part of their audience harder to reach.

• Check your audience data Know what share of your viewers are young and where they live

• Expect age checks New accounts would need age verification

• Watch the final text The age bands, exemptions and timing may all change

Our creator management team helps talent keep track of changes like this.

The draft is a reason to look closely at who a creator reaches, not only how many. Ask creators for audience age and country data before you book, and plan campaigns aimed at families or teenagers in the EU with the proposed rules in mind. Our guide to UGC for brands and our creator and talent campaigns page explain other ways to work with creators.