EU Proposes Strict Age Gate for Online Games; Epic CEO Sweeney Warns It’s ‘Terrible’ for Kids

The European Union is preparing to propose sweeping restrictions on children under 15 accessing online games, social media, and AI chatbots—a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney.

According to Reuters on September 14, the EU document outlines a tiered age-based access system: children 15 and up would freely create accounts; those 13–14 could set up “introductory accounts” with parental help and strict time limits; ages 3–12 would use parent-controlled accounts limited to child-friendly services; and under-3s would have no legal access. The proposal isn’t final—details may shift as EU member states negotiate before formal adoption—but it’s already drawing fire from the gaming industry.

Why Sweeney Is Pushing Back

Sweeney took to Twitter on September 16 to call the proposal “terrible for the next generation of humanity.” He framed games and creative platforms as modern equivalents of childhood staples: “The apps and games of today are the paintbrushes and tree forts of yesterday. Fortnite has Creative Mode, Roblox has Roblox Studio, and being a digital creator is in everyone’s reach, till politicians take it away.”

While Sweeney’s concern for digital access rights appears genuine, observers noted the obvious financial stakes: Fortnite’s playerbase skews young, and easy access for under-15 players is core to the game’s ecosystem.

Part of a Broader Regulatory Wave

The EU proposal is one of many age-verification and content-protection regulations advancing globally in 2026. Australia recently mandated credit cards for Steam access; several U.S. states require age verification for adult websites. Privacy advocates warn these rules risk exposing personal data and restricting adults’ access to the open web, though supporters argue they’re necessary to shield minors from exploitation and abuse.

The EU’s official position emphasizes protecting children “from abuse and exploitation” while “limiting the access of tech companies to our children.” Member states will now begin months of negotiation before any law reaches adoption.