Minimising the risks children and young people face online

The online world is a place of endless possibilities, where people can expand their learning, creativity and communication. It is also a place with many risks, particularly for children and young people. To minimise these risks, the Commission has presented guidelines on the protection of minors, as well as a prototype of an age-verification app. 

The new guidelines will ensure that children enjoy high levels of privacy, safety and security on online platforms. They include recommendations to address 

• minimising exposure to practices that stimulate addictive behaviour
• cyberbullying
• harmful content
• unwanted contact from strangers 

Moreover, platforms will have to make sure that the measures they take are not only appropriate, but do not disproportionately or unduly restrict children’s rights. 

The prototype age-verification app on the other hand, is not only user friendly, but aims to set a gold standard in protecting privacy when it comes to proving your age online. It will allow to easily prove that someone is over 18, while remaining in full control of any other personal information, like their exact age or identity. No one would be able to track, see or reconstruct what content users are consulting. This app is set to be further tested and customised in collaboration with EU countries, online platforms and end-users.  

The age verification blueprint lays the groundwork for broader deployment of age-appropriate based services in the future and is built on the same technical specifications as the European Digital Identity Wallets (eID) that are to be rolled out before the end of 2026. 

For more information 

Press release - Commission presents guidelines and age verification app prototype for a safer online space for children 

Find out more about the Guidelines on the Protection of Minors  

Find out more about the age verification blueprint