How the EU protects minors online

What the EU does to protect minors online

The EU and its member states work together to protect minors in the digital environment, in accordance with EU values and principles.

Some of the most recent initiatives include:

• rules to combat online child sexual abuse
• the digital services act – which combats harmful content online
• an EU-wide age verification app
• European Council conclusions on a safer digital environment

New rules to combat online child sexual abuse

EU member states' representatives have agreed on the Council position on a regulation to prevent and combat child sexual abuse online. The new law, once adopted, will oblige digital companies to prevent the dissemination of child sexual abuse material and the solicitation of children.  

Online providers would have to remove and block access to content or – in the case of search engines – delist search results. The regulation also establishes a new EU agency, the EU Centre on Child Sexual Abuse, to support member states and online providers in implementing the law. 

• Child sexual abuse: Council reaches position on law protecting children from online abuse (press release, 26 November 2025)

The Council and Parliament have also agreed on stronger criminal law rules regarding child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children. As an example, under the new rules, paying to access the livestreaming of child sexual abuse will be punishable. In addition, designing or adapting AI systems to produce child sexual abuse material, as well as distributing such systems, will be considered a criminal offence. This update was necessary given the increasing emergence of deep fake or AI-generated abuse material.

• Combatting child sexual abuse: EU agrees stronger criminal law rules and enhanced support to victims (press release, 22 June 2026)

DSA: combatting harmful content online

The EU has also adopted the digital services act (DSA) to help combat the spread of harmful content online, which can negatively affect minors' mental and emotional well-being and development.

The DSA requires online platforms to put measures in place to better protect users and remove harmful content such as cyberbullying, hate speech or the sale of illegal products.

• How the EU combats harmful content online

The revision of the audiovisual media services directive will also address safety of minors online. In May 2025 the Council approved conclusions setting out what it wants the European Commission to focus on, including a section on the protection of minors.

• Council conclusions on assessment of the legal framework for audiovisual media services and video-sharing platform services (2 May 2025)

EU approach to age verification

The EU has introduced a European age verification app to help online platforms verify the age of their users when accessing legally age-restricted sites. 

Users have to download the app, set it up with their passport or ID card, and use it to prove their age when accessing online services. The app has been designed according to the highest privacy standards in the world, allowing users to prove their age anonymously, without sharing any other personal information.

• The EU approach to age verification (European Commission)

Conclusions on a safer digital environment

In conclusions approved in June 2025, the Council pushed for measures to ensure that children and teenagers can use digital tools in a safe and healthy way, without risking their mental health. 

Measures include:

• close collaboration with key stakeholders to build a safer digital environment
• awareness-raising about the risks posed by the digital environment and the benefits of delaying or gradually introducing digital tools
• media and digital literacy campaigns among children and teenagers
• better design of digital products to promote safety and privacy
• enhancing reporting mechanisms to help combat online sexual exploitation

• Council calls for greater efforts to protect the mental health of children and teenagers in the digital era (press release, 20 June 2025)

What minors do on the internet

The internet has become a central part of daily life for everyone, especially young people. According to the European Commission, children from 9 to 15 spend an average of 3 hours per day on screens and social media. 

In 2024, 98% of 16-17-year-olds in the EU used the internet daily, compared to 88% of the overall population. Some of the most popular online activities for 16-17-year-olds include:

• exchanging instant messages
• watching internet streamed TV or videos
• telephoning or video calling
• participating in social networks
• watching video content from commercial or sharing services
• listening to or downloading music

Social media is their main source of information on political and social issues

A 2024 European Parliament survey reveals that social media is the main source of information on political and social issues for 16-18-year-olds, surpassing traditional media such as TV and online news. In contrast, 25-30-year-olds still prefer TV over social media or online news as their primary source of information.

Risks children and teenagers face in the digital environment

According to Eurostat, 45% of 16-19-year-olds in the EU encountered hostile or degrading online messages in 2023. In that year alone, there were 1.3 million reports of child sexual abuse in the EU, including more than 3.4 million images and videos, according to the European Commission.

The internet offers many benefits for children and teenagers, such as access to information and educational resources, entertainment and the possibility to stay connected with others. However, it also exposes them to significant risks that can have serious consequences on their mental and emotional well-being, such as cybersexual abuse, cyberbullying or exposure to inappropriate content.

Cybersexual abuse

Grooming minors for sexual exploitation, and the creation, sharing, or possession of child sexual exploitation material.

Cyberbullying

Threats or spreading false information to scare, shame or anger someone.

Harmful content

Hate speech, fake news or promotion of self-harm.

Age-inappropriate content

Pornography, gambling or alcohol-related material.

Addictive or manipulative design

Features such as infinite scroll, autoplay and 'missing out' notifications, designed to keep minors engaged.

Harmful commercial practices 

Misleading ads, pay-to-win systems, loot-boxes (virtual items in games that players can buy with real money).

Cyberbullying and cybersexual abuse can have devastating effects on children and teenagers, such as trauma, anxiety, depression, and a lack of self-esteem. Girls are being targeted in particular, often from the moment they start using digital technologies and social media.

• Safer online spaces for girls: Council calls for stronger action against cyber violence (press release, 29 June 2026)

Coming across fake news or age-inappropriate content, such as pornography or gambling, can distort their perception of the world and their understanding of healthy behaviour and relationships, fostering fear and confusion.  

Addictive or manipulative design features, such as infinite scroll or autoplay, make it harder for children and teenagers to develop healthy digital habits, which can affect their academic performance and social interactions. 

Finally, harmful commercial practices, such as misleading ads or pay-to-win systems, can lead to addiction and encourage unhealthy spending habits.

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