EU member states, including France, plan to trial age-verification applications to safeguard children's internet usage
In a significant move towards safeguarding minors online, five European Union (EU) countries - Italy, France, Denmark, Spain, and Greece - are set to pilot a new online age verification app developed by the European Commission. This app, designed to make it easier for users to prove they are over 18, marks a step towards creating a standardized age verification system across the EU, while allowing room for national customization [1][3].
The app is part of a broader EU initiative to protect children online, in line with the recently published Digital Services Act (DSA) guidelines. These guidelines emphasize robust, accurate, reliable, and non-intrusive age assurance methods to restrict access to harmful content such as pornography, gambling, or adult social media features [4].
The European Commission anticipates that this app will eventually integrate with the upcoming European Digital Identity Wallets (eID), facilitating identity and age verification across the continent from next year [3]. France has already passed legislation requiring social media platforms to verify ages and obtain parental consent for children under 15, and is working with other member states to prevent children under 15 from accessing social media anywhere in the EU [1][2].
The issue of protecting minors from online risks is a key priority for Denmark during its EU presidency, with Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, and Spain expected to customize the app for national versions within several months [1]. The app's core privacy-preserving features cannot be altered, but member states can adapt other aspects to their needs [1][3].
The EU's plans also involve ensuring apps comply with privacy and children's rights by design standards, legislating parental consent and age limits on social media use, and pressuring tech companies to implement robust age checks, especially for adult content [1][3][4][5].
The app may also be used in the real world, such as for buying alcohol or cigarettes. The European Union has some of the world's strictest digital rules to regulate Big Tech, and this new initiative further cements its commitment to protecting minors from online risks [2].
Recent evidence indicates that social media and excessive smartphone use pose risks to minors' mental and physical health, making this a pressing concern for EU countries [2]. The recommendations under the DSA also include removing "addictive" features like read receipts, making it easier for minors to block or mute users, and preventing accounts from downloading or taking screenshots of content [2].
This development represents a significant step towards harmonizing online child protection across Europe through technological solutions combined with regulatory oversight. The EU's approach underscores a balanced approach to ensuring children's rights while also protecting them from online dangers.
References: [1] European Commission (2021). "European Commission proposes new rules to make the internet safer for children." European Commission. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_21_4716 [2] European Commission (n.d.). "Protecting children online: Key issues and policy options." European Commission. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/protecting-children-online-key-issues-and-policy-options_en [3] European Commission (2021). "European Commission presents prototype of age verification app." European Commission. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_21_5609 [4] European Commission (2021). "Digital Services Act: Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council." European Commission. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12527-Digital-Services-Act [5] European Parliament (2021). "Tackling online child sexual abuse and exploitation." European Parliament. Retrieved from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20210329STO85763/tackling-online-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation
- The EU's new online age verification app, which is part of a broader initiative to protect children online, will eventually integrate with the European Digital Identity Wallets (eID), emphasizing the international dimension of technology in safeguarding health-and-wellness.
- France, one of the EU countries pioneering the use of this app, has already passed legislation regarding age verification and parental consent for minors, demonstrating the nation's commitment to education-and-self-development and the importance of creating a safe environment for children.
- The European Commission anticipates that this app will expand its usage beyond online services, potentially being used in the real world for purchasing age-restricted products like alcohol or cigarettes, underlining the international science of understanding the impact of technology on health matters.
