Today it launched the new European Age Verification, a digital tool aimed at making children safer online, at a time of heightened concerns about screen addiction, exposure to harmful content and online harassment. Its president, , together with executive vice-president Hena Virkunen, announced that the application is technically ready and will soon be operational for European citizens. The new tool will allow age verification without revealing personal data, with an emphasis on anonymity and privacy protection.
Single European solution for the protection of minors
The initiative is part of the European Commission’s overall strategy for children’s online safety. According to the announcement, the goal is a single European age verification solution that can be used by social media platforms and other digital services. The Commission argues that the new application is based on principles similar to those of the COVID digital certificates: rapid development, interoperability, and possibility of use in multiple Member States.
Greece is a pioneer in adoption
A special mention was made of Greece, which is among the countries at the forefront of adopting the new technology. Greece, which through the actions of the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence has already integrated it into the Kids Wallet (for the purchase of tobacco products, etc.) with the aim of protecting minors, preventing addiction at a young age, strengthening transparency and market supervision, has already shown the way, which will soon be followed by France, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Cyprus and Ireland, in the respective national digital wallets, countries with which the country works closely with us.
As the Minister of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, Dimitris Papastergiou, had stated, during the presentation of the road map and business plan for the universal implementation of the ban on the sale of tobacco and alcohol to minors, “digital age verification through Kids Wallet and Gov.gr Wallet introduces a safe and reliable process, which essentially limits the access of minors to harmful products, without unnecessary exposure of personal data. The same approach will be extended to online markets, after a period of business adjustment. This is a reform that is here to stay, so that we can create a safer environment for our children, and for this we need the support of all of us”.
New framework for social media
Let’s remember that Greece, just last week, also announced the new regulatory framework for minors’ access to social media. According to this, access to online social media services is prohibited for minors who have not reached the age of 15, a measure that will be fully implemented from January 1, 2027. At the same time, the European supervision mechanism is activated, established through the Digital Services Act (DSA), ensuring uniform and effective application of the rules in all member states. Specifically, the control and enforcement of the obligations is assigned either to the European Commission or to the competent Digital Services Coordinator of the country of installation of each platform.
European concern about children’s exposure to the internet
The new European application comes at a time when concerns about children’s exposure to the internet are growing. The European Commission highlights that children spend more and more time on platforms with algorithmically designed content, which can reinforce addiction and increase exposure to risky behaviours.
In this context, the age verification application is considered a key tool, as it allows access to content only when the user’s age is confirmed, but without revealing other personal data.
Despite the positive reception from several member states, challenges remain in terms of adoption by major social networking platforms and the harmonization of technical standards at European level.
The Commission has made it clear that it will proceed with strict enforcement of the rules for the protection of minors, stressing that the commercial operation of the platforms cannot override the rights of children.
Ursula von der Leyen’s statement
“Last fall, in my State of the Union address, I committed to making the online world safer for our children. We know that digital technology can offer children incredible opportunities. They can learn faster through interactive tools. They can stay connected with their friends and families. They can access a vast amount of knowledge and explore the world, far beyond the confines of the schoolroom. And these technologies can also help them develop valuable life skills.
But we are also fully aware that these benefits come with risks. When it comes to children’s safety online, the situation is extremely worrying. One in six children is cyberbullied. One child in eight bullies another child online. Social media platforms offer highly addictive design features – addictive endless scrolling, short attention span short videos, highly personalized and targeted content. The amount of time our children spend in front of screens has never been greater. And that’s time they’re not spending on the playground with their peers.
And the more time they spend online, the more likely they are to be exposed to harmful and illegal content, as well as to online predators. This environment does not benefit developing young minds. That is why I listened carefully to parents, who do not have adequate solutions to protect their children. I share their concern. It is the responsibility of the parents to raise their children, not the platforms. I also heard the concerns of our Member States. That is why, a month ago, I convened the first meeting of the Task Force on Children’s Online Safety. Tomorrow, the group will hold its second meeting. It will submit its recommendations by the summer.
It is our duty to protect our children in the digital world, just as we do in the physical world. And to achieve this effectively, we need a harmonized European approach. A key question is: how can we ensure that there is a pan-European technical solution for age verification? Today I can announce that we have the answer. Our European age verification application is technically ready and will soon be available to citizens.
This app will allow users to prove their age when accessing online platforms, just like shops require proof of age to buy alcoholic beverages.
This is not the first time the Commission has presented an innovative solution to a new problem. We all remember the COVID pandemic. Our world stopped. But as we emerged from lockdowns and vaccines became available, the Commission rolled out the COVID implementation in record time – three months – to get us back to normal safely. By scanning the COVID certificates we could go to concerts or travel by plane again. In 78 countries on 4 continents this application was used, being a great success. And now we have applied this experience to our age verification app.
It follows the same principles, the same model.
First, it is user-friendly. You download the app. You activate it with your passport or identity card. You then prove your age when accessing online services.
Second, it respects the highest standards of personal data protection in the world. Users prove their age without revealing other personal information. Simply put, it is completely anonymous: users cannot be traced.
Third, the app works on any device – mobile, tablet, computer, whatever.
And finally, it’s completely open source – anyone can check the code. This means that our partners internationally can also use it. It is very important that it can be used by our global partners. And more importantly, online platforms can easily rely on the age verification application.
No more excuses. Europe offers a free and easy-to-use solution that can protect our children from harmful and illegal content. We are already seeing more Member States making significant progress. France, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Spain, Cyprus and Ireland are at the forefront. They plan to integrate the app into their national digital wallets.
I hope more Member States and the private sector will follow so that every citizen can soon use the app. This app gives parents, teachers and caregivers a powerful tool to protect children.
Because we will have zero tolerance for companies that do not respect the rights of our children. That’s why we’re moving swiftly and decisively to enforce our European rules and hold online platforms that don’t adequately protect our children accountable.
Our new age verification solution and enforcement go hand in hand. Children’s rights in the European Union come before commercial interests. And we will ensure that this is followed.”
