Proposed EU Kids Act could require age verification before accessing certain online games
GG Brief Editorial Desk · AI-assisted, source attributed
IGN reports the proposed EU Kids Act would require players to verify their age before accessing certain online games. The bill, aimed at keeping children from being harmed online, is expected to introduce age limits for social media, AI tools, and some gaming platforms. IGN says documents obtained by Euractiv reportedly state providers would have to perform age checks when a user opens a new account and that requirements could extend to AI chatbots and “online games that are risky to minors.” The measure is scheduled to be presented to the European Parliament on September 17, and it is not yet confirmed which specific games or verification methods would be required.
- What happened: IGN reports a proposed EU Kids Act would obligate providers to verify users' ages before granting access to certain online games and other services.
- Why it matters: IGN says the change could meaningfully affect gamers of all ages who want access to games classified as risky to minors under the proposal.
- Context: IGN reports the act aims to protect children online, has been discussed for more than a year, and documents obtained by Euractiv reportedly link the age checks to social media, video-sharing platforms, AI chatbots, and certain online games; it is reportedly not expected to cover industrial AI, AI office products, or educational online services.
- What next: The legislation is due to be presented to the European Parliament on September 17; it is not yet confirmed whether the act will pass, which specific games would be covered, or how age verification would be implemented.
What changed
IGN reports the EU Kids Act, a proposed law intended to prevent harm to children online, would require age verification for access to certain online services and some games. Documents obtained by Euractiv and cited by IGN reportedly say providers of social media and video-sharing services would have to verify age when a user opens a new account, and that these requirements could extend to AI chatbots and “online games that are risky to minors.”
Availability
According to IGN, the law is scheduled to be presented to the European Parliament on September 17.
Limits
IGN reports the proposal is not expected to affect industrial AI, AI office products, or educational online services. IGN and the cited Euractiv documents do not confirm which specific games would be classed as risky to minors, what age-verification methods would be mandated, or whether the Parliament will approve the measure.