Tim Sweeney Buries Humanity: Epic Games Head Calls EU Plans to Restrict Social Media for Children "Terrible for the Next Generation"

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney criticized a European Union initiative aimed at restricting children's access to social media and other digital services. According to the company's head, such measures could negatively affect the development of creativity and self-expression in the new generation.

This refers to the proposed EU KIDS Act — a legislative initiative that provides for the gradual restriction of minors' access to social platforms. According to the proposal, children under 13 will be completely prohibited from creating social media accounts. The exception will be specially designed video services for children, which can be used through a parent's or guardian's account.

For teenagers aged 13 to 15, it is assumed that they can create accounts only under the supervision of parents or guardians. Such accounts should have a limited set of functions and time restrictions. Starting from 15 years old, teenagers will be able to create accounts independently without parental consent, although the document still emphasizes the importance of parental control.

At the same time, the initiative applies not only to familiar social networks like Instagram* and TikTok. The scope of the rules is proposed to include video services, online games, AI chatbots and virtual companions, as well as app stores and operating systems.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that modern technologies were not originally designed with children's well-being in mind. According to her, the new initiative should shift responsibility to digital platforms: they will have to prove that their services are safe for minors.

Tim Sweeney holds a different opinion. Even before the official announcement of the EU initiative, he wrote on X that such restrictions would be "terrible for the next generation of humanity." The head of Epic Games compared modern games and applications to creative tools of the past — brushes and children's construction sets. As examples, he cited Fortnite with its creative mode and Roblox Studio, which allow users to create digital content independently.

However, people on social media do not believe that Sweeney is concerned about the future of European children: stricter age restrictions could directly affect the audience of Fortnite and other Epic Games products.

The EU KIDS Act has not yet become law. The proposal has been sent to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, after which it must go through the legislative procedure for consideration and approval. The initiative comes amid similar measures in other countries, including Australia and the UK, where restrictions for underage users of social platforms are already being introduced or have been introduced.