The European Union’s executive arm has intensified efforts to make the internet safer for young people. On 14 July, it published new guidelines under the Digital Services Act (DSA) and unveiled a prototype EU age verification app. Just days later, on 22 July, the Commission launched a public consultation and call for evidence to help shape the forthcoming EU Action Plan on Cyberbullying, expected to come into force in early 2026.
The new DSA guidelines provide a detailed, non-binding framework to help platforms implement stronger safeguards for minors. They recommend setting children’s accounts to private by default, giving young users more control over the content they see, and limiting unsolicited contact or the sharing of their content.
To address the risk of harmful or addictive content, Commission urges platforms to prioritise explicit user feedback rather than relying on algorithmic profiling. Children should be able to block or mute other users. Nobody should be able to add kids to group chats without their consent, a common entry point for online harassment.
The guidelines also target platform features designed to keep users engaged for longer periods. The companies shoud turn off autoplay, “streaks”, push notifications and read receipts for minors by default. Commercial practices that exploit children’s limited financial awareness, such as loot boxes and in-app currencies, are also harmful, the guidelines say.
Clear message to platforms
While the guidelines are voluntary, the Commission intends to use them as a benchmark when evaluating compliance with Article 28(1) of the DSA, which obliges platforms accessible to minors to ensure a high level of privacy, safety and security.
We must do everything we can to protect minors online. – Caroline Stage Olsen, Denmark’s Minister for Digital Affairs
According to Henna Virkkunen, EC Executive Vice-President responsible for tech sovereignty, security and democracy, this combination of practical guidance and regulatory expectations sends a clear message to platforms. The tech companies can no longer justify design choices that put young users at risk.
At the presentation of the guidelines, Danish digital minister for Caroline Stage Olsen added that both the guidelines and the age verification app offer clear direction for member states and platforms. “We must do everything we can to protect minors online,” she said.
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Age verification app
Unveiled alongside the guidelines, the Commission’s prototype age verification app is to help users prove they meet minimum age requirements, such as being over 18. It does not involve tracking or exposing personal data.
With cyberbullying affecting a growing number of young people across Europe, the European Commission is stepping up efforts to address the issue. According to its own data, one in six adolescents in the EU says they have been victims of cyberbullying, while one in eight admits to having engaged in it themselves. In response, the Commission launched a public consultation and call for evidence on 22 July, aimed at shaping the upcoming EU Action Plan on Cyberbullying, expected in early 2026.
The project pilots in Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, and Spain, with further customisation to follow in collaboration with national authorities, platforms, and end-users. Ms Olsen labelled the age verification app “a very important milestone”.
Call for feedback on cyberbullying
Building on the Digital Services Act but going further, the plan will seek to tackle not only the technical aspects of online safety but also the social and psychological dynamics behind digital harassment. While minors are at the heart of the strategy, the Commission also aims to address the gendered dimension of online abuse and the particular vulnerabilities of young adults up to age 29.
Cyberbullying knows no borders and must be tackled collectively. – Glenn Micallef, Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport
Commissioner Glenn Micallef, who oversees intergenerational fairness, youth, culture and sport, stressed that cyberbullying knows no borders and must be tackled collectively. He added that the EU is acting together to “make online spaces safer for all.”
The consultation is open until 29 September 2025, and a child-friendly version will be launched in September through the EU Children’s Participation Platform
Coordinated strategy for digital protection
Together, the DSA guidelines, the age verification app, and the upcoming Action Plan on Cyberbullying form part of a broader EU strategy to reinforce child protection online. Under the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, online safety for minors has become a top political priority. The message from Brussels is clear: protecting children and young people in the digital world is a defining standard for Europe’s digital future.
