BRUSSELS — The European Commission plans to propose new protections for children online, including age-based limits on social media access and mandatory safeguards for platforms used by minors. The proposed EU KIDS Act is expected to be presented Thursday. Preparatory documents indicate that it would establish a tiered system for access to certain high-risk social media and video-sharing services, rather than impose a single blanket ban on users under 15. Under the plan, children younger than 13 could use accounts opened and fully controlled by a parent or guardian, provided the service meets strict safety requirements. Users ages 13 to 15 could receive introductory accounts with limits on contact from strangers, reduced screen-time features and parental controls. Teenagers older than 15 would be allowed to create their own accounts. The rules would cover social media and video-sharing platforms, online games, AI chatbots and AI companions. Educational tools would be excluded. The Commission also plans education measures aimed at children, parents and guardians. Platforms would be required to use technology to verify users’ ages. The proposal does not yet explain in detail how age verification would work or how the Commission would determine which services qualify as high risk, issues that could raise concerns about privacy, accuracy and access to legitimate online communities. The initiative follows growing pressure from health experts, parents and European politicians over the effects of major platforms such as TikTok and Instagram on children’s mental health. French President Emmanuel Macron has been among the leaders urging stronger European action, while Austria, Denmark, France, Greece and Spain are pursuing national restrictions of their own. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to discuss the initiative during her State of the European Union speech to lawmakers in Strasbourg on Wednesday. Commission spokesperson Olof Gil confirmed Monday that the act is scheduled to be introduced Thursday. The proposed enforcement system would resemble arrangements under the European Union’s Digital Services Act and Artificial Intelligence Act. The Commission would oversee the largest and highest-risk companies, while national regulators would supervise smaller firms. Companies would also pay supervisory fees. The text remains subject to change before its formal presentation. If adopted by the Commission, it would then need approval and negotiation among EU member governments and the European Parliament, meaning the final rules and their timeline remain uncertain.