Italy, France, Denmark, Spain and Greece said they would pilot an online age verification app prototype developed by the European Commission, making it easier for users to prove that they are over 18.
According to the EC, the aim was to protect minors from “inappropriate and harmful online content”, and it would enable a standardised age verification system across the European Union.
The EU, though, allowed for some “national customisation” of the app to fit individual member states’ standards.
“While privacy-preserving features cannot be modified, Member States can customise the blueprint to national needs,” EC tech chief Henna Virkkunen said.
The app was part of a European push to protect children online.
In parallel, the EC also published Digital Services Act (DSA) guidelines on the protection of minors.
Regulators said the new guidelines would help online platforms to tackle so-called addictive design, cyberbullying, harmful content and unwanted contact from strangers.
“Platforms have no excuse to be continuing practices that put children at risk,” said Virkkunen.
France said it was working with other member states to prevent children under 15 from accessing social media anywhere in the EU. https://t.co/YVBVh0V6mh
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) May 12, 2025
French MEP Stéphanie Yon-Courtin, a strong advocate for stricter online access rules for minors, welcomed the guidelines.
While noting that they were “not binding,” she described them as a step in the right direction and said she saw potential for progress at the EU level.
French Renew Europe President Valerie Hayer welcomed the EC’s move on July 15. “It’s great news: the European Commission has announced it is working on a ban on social media for those under 15 years old,” she said on X.
France has been part of a European coalition that wanted to ban social media for children, while the EC preferred social media restrictions for minors.
In 2024, Australia approved a ban on social media for 16-year-olds.
Although critics said they realised many parents today can feel overwhelmed by the digital world, some argued that bans could push kids toward more secretive use of the internet.
The Austrian Government has proposed measures to tighten online freedom and access to social media. https://t.co/nN6y5BE6ZY
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) June 19, 2025
