Tim Cook, now Apple’s executive chairman, met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Manhattan this week during the United Nations General Assembly to discuss the European Union’s new proposal aimed at online child safety, known as the EU KIDS Act. Their meeting emphasized shared commitment to improving privacy, safety, and security for children in the digital age.
What’s the EU KIDS Act?
The EU KIDS Act is a sweeping proposal from Brussels that seeks to overhaul how children and teens can use social media, gaming platforms, AI chatbots, and video-sharing services. It would ban children under 13 from social media feeds entirely and require parental or guardian oversight until users reach age 15, at which point they could open and manage their own accounts. яшь users between 13 and 14 would be limited to “mini accounts,” with restricted features and regulated screen time.
Rules for Safer Digital Spaces
The proposal doesn’t stop at age limits. It also demands platforms be “safe by design.” That means no infinite scroll, autoplay, or reward mechanics aimed at keeping kids hooked. Profiles for minors must default to private; contact with strangers would be tightly controlled; reporting tools and parental controls are to be required. AI companions and chatbots will also face safeguards to avoid emotional dependency.
Age Assurance & Parental Controls
Age verification systems are central to the EU’s plan. Platforms will be required to verify a user’s age at account creation, relying on tools that protect identity and privacy—like the EU Age Verification App or approved authentication systems that don’t retain sensitive personal or biometric data. Parental oversight plays a key role under the framework, especially for users aged 13–14.
While the EU KIDS Act is still in proposal form and awaiting debate by Parliament and Council, its provisions could be law in the near future.
In his new executive chairman role—stepping down as CEO on September 1, 2026—Cook continues to engage directly in public policy and global government relations for Apple. This meeting appears to be one such exercise of that role, signaling Apple’s increasing involvement in shaping global digital regulations.
This moment marks a clear intersection of tech and regulation: governments are no longer just reacting to online harms—they are trying to set new rules for how platforms design and operate, especially when minors are involved. Cook’s presence in this policy conversation underscores how central major tech firms are becoming in the regulatory landscape, especially in areas like children’s privacy and online safety.
