Epic CEO on EU Kid Ban: "Terrible for the Next Generation"
What the EU Under-13 Ban Proposes
The European Union has proposed legislation, sometimes referred to as the EU Kids Act, that would ban children under 13 from accessing social media platforms and online games. The proposal aims to protect minors from the risks of online platforms, including addiction, cyberbullying, and exposure to inappropriate content. If enacted, the regulation would affect millions of young players across the EU, with Fortnite being one of the most directly impacted games due to its large under-13 player base.
Tim Sweeney's Response
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney publicly criticized the EU’s proposal, calling it "terrible for the next generation of humanity" in comments reported by Kotaku on September 16, 2026. Some outlets, including WN Hub and PC Gamer, characterized Sweeney’s quote as calling the ban "a horror for the next generation of humanity." Sweeney argued that restricting children’s access to online games would have negative consequences for young people’s social development and digital literacy. The comments were widely covered by gaming and tech news outlets on September 16-17.
What It Means for Fortnite Players
If the EU under-13 ban is enacted, Fortnite would need to implement age verification systems to prevent children under 13 from accessing the game in EU countries. This could require players to provide proof of age, either through government ID scans or other verification methods. The implementation would be complex and could affect the user experience for all players in the EU, not just minors. Epic has not yet announced specific plans for compliance, but past regulatory actions have required significant technical and legal investment.
Epic's History with EU Regulation
Epic Games has a long history of challenging EU regulations and legal rulings. The company's most notable case was its antitrust lawsuit against Apple over the App Store's 30% commission, which resulted in Epic's apps being removed from iOS. In the EU, Epic has faced regulatory scrutiny over in-game purchases and loot boxes, particularly in Belgium where the court ruled that Fortnite's item shop could constitute gambling. Epic's CEO Tim Sweeney has been a vocal critic of platform taxes and regulatory restrictions on game revenue.
Industry Backlash and Legal Challenges
The EU Kids Act proposal has drawn backlash from multiple gaming industry stakeholders. Sweeney’s comments reflect a broader industry concern that blanket bans on children’s access to online platforms ignore the benefits of digital games for social connection, creativity, and skill development. The proposal is still in draft form and may face significant legal challenges and political pushback before it can be enacted. Players in the EU should monitor the regulatory process, as the outcome will directly affect their ability to play Fortnite and other online games.
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