EU Targets Online Safety with Minimum Age and Anti-Manipulation Rules

TLDRs:

• European Parliament proposes age 16 minimum for social media and AI chatbots.
• Children 13–16 may access platforms only with parental consent.
• EU seeks to ban addictive designs, manipulative ads, and gambling features.
• Privacy-focused age verification could create multi-year business opportunities.

The European Parliament has approved a non-binding resolution calling for a harmonized minimum age of 16 for accessing social media platforms and AI chatbots across the European Union.

Currently, age limits vary by member state, creating a patchwork of regulations under the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA).

Lawmakers suggest that children between 13 and 16 could access these platforms only with parental consent. Those under 13 would be barred from using such services entirely. While the resolution is not legally binding, it represents a clear direction for future legislation and digital safety standards.

New rules to curb manipulative online features

Beyond age restrictions, the EU resolution addresses the design of online platforms themselves. Lawmakers recommend banning addictive features, manipulative advertising, and gambling-like mechanics targeting children. Websites failing to comply with these standards could face blocking or other enforcement measures.

Additionally, the resolution urges regulators to take action against AI tools that produce inappropriate or misleading content. With AI chatbots and digital assistants increasingly integrated into daily life, these recommendations aim to protect younger users from potential harm while maintaining a safer online environment.

Harmonization may ease existing disparities

Several EU countries already set age limits between 13 and 16. Belgium, France, Germany, and Italy have various rules regarding parental consent, while platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Snapchat largely rely on self-reported ages. Many underage users still sign up by entering false birth dates, highlighting enforcement as a significant challenge.

A common minimum of 13, with a default of 16 plus parental consent for those aged 13–16, mirrors existing practices in several member states. While the resolution may appear restrictive in headlines, the actual impact may be moderate for many EU users.

Privacy-focused verification could drive new markets

The EU is exploring privacy-preserving age verification methods that could open new business opportunities. Government-backed Digital Identity Wallets, pilots of which are already running in multiple member states, allow platforms to confirm user ages without compromising personal data.

Standards from IEEE, ISO, and ETSI are aligning to ensure interoperable B2B solutions. Vendors could supply these tools to help platforms comply with EU DSA age-assurance timelines, which may also meet requirements under the UK Online Safety Act. Similar efforts are underway in the United States and Australia, indicating a growing international focus on safe digital spaces for minors.

The scope of these regulations extends beyond social media, encompassing video platforms, AI companions, gambling services, and adult content providers. While formal legislation could take years, the resolution marks a decisive step toward harmonized online safety and responsible digital design across the European Union.

The post EU Targets Online Safety with Minimum Age and Anti-Manipulation Rules appeared first on CoinCentral.