Europe moves toward tighter digital protections for children

Yesterday 11:31

By: Azzat Manal

Europe moves toward tighter digital protections for children

The European Union is preparing to consider tougher and more coordinated measures to protect children and teenagers online, with new restrictions on access to major social media platforms expected to become part of the debate in Brussels.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to outline proposals that could introduce common age-related rules for platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube. The initiative reflects growing concern about the effects of social media on young users and the difficulty of enforcing existing age requirements.

Among the options being examined is a minimum age of either 13 or 15 for independent access to certain social media services. Younger children could potentially be allowed to use selected platforms under the supervision of parents or teachers, without being permitted to create individual accounts.

The precise scope of the proposed restrictions remains under discussion. European authorities could eventually consider extending certain measures beyond social media to other digital services, including websites and online games. Many major platforms already set a minimum user age of 13, but age checks frequently rely on information entered by users rather than robust verification systems.

Child-safety specialists argue that age limits alone cannot address the risks associated with online platforms. They are calling for companies to redesign services to make them safer for younger users, including reducing features and recommendation systems that encourage prolonged use and strengthening safeguards against violent or hateful content.

The European Union already has a regulatory framework for large digital platforms through the Digital Services Act. Under the legislation, major technology companies can face investigations and penalties if they fail to meet their obligations, including requirements related to the protection of minors.

One of the most difficult questions surrounding any EU-wide age restriction is how platforms would reliably establish a user's age. The European Commission is exploring digital identity tools that could allow users to prove whether they meet an age requirement without necessarily sharing their full identity with individual platforms.

One proposed approach involves a digital wallet capable of storing age-related information on a smartphone. The Commission has also developed a system that could potentially allow users to confirm their age while automatically restricting access to services that are not appropriate for them.

Several EU member states are reportedly testing such technology. However, privacy advocates have raised concerns that a system designed to protect children could effectively require the entire population to prove its age before accessing online services.

Digital rights organizations have warned that broad age-verification requirements could create disproportionate privacy risks. Critics also argue that teenagers have legitimate rights to participate in digital spaces and that restrictions must strike a balance between protecting minors and preserving access to information and communication.

Questions have also been raised about the security of proposed age-verification technologies. Researchers have reportedly identified weaknesses in prototype systems, highlighting the importance of ensuring that sensitive identity and age-related information cannot be exposed or misused.

Another challenge is that technical restrictions can potentially be circumvented. European policymakers are aware that tools such as virtual private networks can make enforcement more difficult, meaning that effective child protection will likely require a combination of technology, platform responsibility, parental involvement and regulatory oversight.

Several EU countries, including Denmark, Greece and France, have already pushed for stronger restrictions on children's access to social media. However, national measures can create differences between member states and make enforcement more complicated for companies operating across the bloc.

Germany has therefore supported a coordinated European approach while also considering interim national measures. German Family Minister Karin Prien has announced plans to strengthen protections for children and teenagers online while broader European rules are being developed.

Even if the European Commission presents its proposals this week, any binding restrictions would not take effect immediately. A formal legislative proposal would have to be prepared and then negotiated by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, representing the 27 member states.

The process could take several months and is likely to generate significant debate over privacy, children's rights, digital safety and the responsibilities of technology companies. The EU's challenge will be to develop rules that provide meaningful protection for minors without creating excessive surveillance or placing unnecessary restrictions on legitimate digital participation.