Epic CEO and founder Tim Sweeney called a proposed European Union law that would block kids 14 and under from freely accessing AI chatbots, online games, and social media “terrible,” and suggested that games like Fortnite and Roblox are important for the “next generation of humanity.”
On September 14, Reuters reported that it was shown a document confirming the EU is set to propose a new ban that would greatly restrict kids under 15 from accessing online games, video platforms, social media apps, and chatbots.
“The Union’s approach should allow minors to benefit from the huge potential of digital services, while protecting them from abuse and exploitation. It needs to limit the access of tech companies to our children, and not the other way around,” says the reported document. Reuters explains that this same document lays out the proposed plan.
Children 15 and up will be able to freely create their own accounts. 14- and 13-year-old kids will be able to ask parents to help them set up “introductory accounts” with limited access and strict time limits. Children between the ages of 3 and 12 would only have access to child accounts fully controlled by parents, and these accounts could only be used to access child-friendly services and apps. Kids under 3 would have no legal access to online games and apps.
Reuters reports that details may change by the time the proposed ban is officially announced. The EU will then have to work with member countries in the coming months to make changes that would allow it to be adopted and become law in the EU. So it’s far from a done deal, but the proposed ban is already getting pushback from Epic CEO Tim Sweeney.
“This would be terrible for the next generation of humanity,” posted Sweeney on Twitter in response to the news. “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.”
This would be terrible for the next generation of humanity. 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. https://t.co/peNQ2rtudE
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) September 16, 2026
Of course, people online pointed out that while Sweeney might genuinely care about protecting people’s rights, including those of kids, to access digital content and services, Epic would also likely see a big impact on its bottom line if suddenly 12-year-olds weren’t able to easily play Fortnite.
This proposed EU ban on games and apps for kids under 15 is just one of many such proposed laws and regulations floating around in 2026 as tech companies and different countries, including the United States, navigate the future of the internet. In many states in the U.S., you have to prove your age just to access pornographic websites. And in Australia, a new law has made it so you have to have a credit card to use Steam as part of that country’s efforts to, in theory, protect kids.
Opponents of these laws have warned of privacy concerns and have suggested these regulations will be used to restrict information and adults’ access to much of the free web.
