According to a European Commission document seen by Reuters, the proposal is part of a planned EU Kids Act that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen are expected to present this week.

The proposal would introduce different levels of access based on age. Children aged 15 and above would be allowed to create their own accounts, while those aged 13 and 14 could access social media and video-sharing platforms through parental permission, with controls on contacts and screen time.

Children aged 3 to 12 would have access only to child-friendly services under parental control, while those under three would have no access.

The European Commission said the approach should allow children to benefit from digital services while protecting them from abuse and exploitation.

Under the proposal, technology companies would also be required to verify users' ages, limit addictive designs and harmful content feeds, and provide tools for reporting harmful material and parental controls.

Companies would also pay a supervisory fee to support regulatory enforcement.

Reuters reported that the proposal could still change before being formally presented and would require agreement with EU member states and the European Parliament before becoming law.