EU Committee Proposes Minimum Age of 16 for Online Services - EU Proposes Minimum Age of 16 for Online Services to Protect Youth
The European Union is contemplating a substantial move in online safety. The EU Parliament's committee has suggested a minimum age of 16 for users of online services. This step aims to safeguard young users from potential harms, with increasing support among EU countries despite initial divisions.
Ursula von der Leyen, the EU Commission President, has expressed backing for minimum age requirements. She has commissioned an expert panel to present recommendations by the end of the year. Meanwhile, Denmark and four other states are already trialing software to verify age and restrict access to content for younger users. This software records the smartphone owner's birthdate and blocks restricted content without sharing personal data with platforms.
The EU Commission is debating implementing these measures at the EU level. The EU Parliament will decide on the proposal at its upcoming session in Strasbourg later this month. The proposal seeks to mitigate risks related to addiction, mental health, and exposure to harmful content.
The EU is progressing towards establishing a minimum age for online services, with the EU Parliament's committee proposing 16 as the age. The EU Commission and several countries are actively exploring and testing measures to ensure online safety for younger users.
