What the KIDS proposal means for parents

A gradual approach to accounts

For social and video services covered by Article 6, the proposal describes limited guardian-created accounts for 13- and 14-year-olds and independent accounts from 15. Younger children would not receive their own account on those services. A narrow exception allows a guardian’s own account on specially designed video services for ages 3–12.

Games and covered AI services have a different route: under-13 access would be controlled through guardian tools. Check the service’s rules and applicable law; parental permission cannot make every service available at every age.

Proving age without handing over a life history

The proposed age-assurance framework limits disclosure and requires privacy-preserving proof. A platform should receive the age fact it needs, not a copy of a child’s identity document. The proposal would require each Member State to make a free age-verification solution available.

Proving that you are an adult is different from proving that you hold parental responsibility for a particular child. Article 31 proposes a free, privacy-preserving way to establish that authority and alternatives for families with nonstandard documentation.

What useful controls should do

• Explain time limits, contact approvals and settings in language both you and your child understand.
• Tell the child when guardian tools are active.
• Make it clear when a setting change has actually taken effect.
• Provide an appeal when an age decision is wrong.
• Preserve an accessible route to confidential help, including when a child cannot safely approach a guardian.

Privacy and growing independence

The proposal protects children’s agency and privacy. A parental tool should not become automatic access to every private conversation. The appropriate level of supervision changes as a child grows and depends on the context.

A 15-year-old’s independent social account is also different from GDPR consent. National thresholds for consent-based online processing can remain relevant.

How Valvur supports the whole family

Valvur’s child experience uses the KIBI universe and safety missions to practise recognising manipulation, scams and unsafe requests. The parent experience combines permissions, explanations and guidance on how to respond. The aim is a child who asks for help early and a parent who knows what to do.

Protection should remain available after a rule is broken. Avoid rewarding the volume of disclosures or demanding private-chat access as the price of support. Offer child-visible controls and another trusted support route where the guardian is unsafe. See the seven intervention points.