The European Commission has formally requested information from Snapchat, YouTube, Apple Store and Google Play over how they protect children from harmful or illegal content under current rules. The inquiry coincides with the informal meeting of telcos ministers, hosted by Denmark; both deal with the protection of minors online and the setting of a digital age of majority.
The requests for information sent by the Commission focused particularly on the platforms’ compliance with age access limits for children. “Today, alongside national authorities in the member states, we are assessing whether the measures taken so far by the platforms are indeed protecting children,” said Henna Virkkunen, Commission vice-president for technological sovereignty, about the installed procedures.
In specific terms, for Snapchat, the Commission wants to know how it prevents users under 13 from using the app. Also, what measures the App take to stop the sale of illegal or age-restricted products. This surge under claims that vapes and drugs are available for sale through its features. YouTube also faced questions about its age-verification system and algorithm recommendations. The concern follows reports that harmful content, such as anorectic and self-harm, was being recommended to minors.
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As for Apple Store and Google Play, Brussels is scrutinising how they screen apps and apply age ratings. In particular, the safeguards used to prevent minors from downloading harmful or illegal apps. This includes gambling and “nudify” apps.
Today, alongside national authorities in the member states, we are assessing whether the measures taken so far by the platforms are indeed protecting children — Henna Virkkunen, Commission vice-president for technological sovereignty
Nevertheless, this is not the first time the Commission has put major platforms under scrutiny. Since late 2023, Brussels has launched five formal DSA investigations targeting X, TikTok, AliExpress, Meta, and Temu. The TikTok Lite case was closed after the company withdrew its rewards scheme. While other investigations remain ongoing, with outcomes still pending.
Second phase of a minimum online age blueprint
Brussels is leaning forward in setting a minimum age requirement to access social media in the EU. On the same day, it launched the second version of the EU Age-Verification Blueprint. The new edition adds passports and ID cards as onboarding options, alongside electronic IDs and a Digital Credentials API.
Denmark, which holds the Council presidency, is paving the way. This week, the Danish Prime Minister announced plans for a national ban on social-media access for under-15s. She argued that “phones and platforms are stealing children’s childhood”.
In the same tone, opening the Informal meeting of telecommunication ministers, Danish digital minister, Caroline Stage Olsen, warned that violent and sexualised material circulating online is leaving many children deeply traumatised. She described a growing pattern of “videos of murder, suicide and sexual assaults” that young people encounter on their phones, often alone and unseen, leading to “sleepless nights, anxiety, depression, even psychiatric hospitalisation”. “This is becoming the norm”, she said, urging governments to act before such exposure becomes an accepted part of childhood.
The first blueprint for age verification was launched in July. Currently, the pilot testing is underway in Denmark, France, Greece, Italy and Spain, with results to be presented soon.
Are you old enough?
The question of the “right age” to join social media remains unresolved. Many platforms set 13 as the minimum age in their terms of service. However, EU governments are pushing for different limits. Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has publicly endorsed Australia’s under-16 ban, while Denmark is preparing to set its own bar at 15.
The Commission’s age-verification blueprint still leaves room for flexibility. Each member state can adapt the system to its national context, a point underlined by Denmark’s digital minister, who told reporters. “I would believe it to be wisest if we didn’t have one set majority age, but gave different member states the opportunity to set the age they find appropriate”.
“I would believe it to be wisest if we didn’t have one set majority age, but gave different member states the opportunity to set the age they find appropriate” – Caroline Stage Olsen, Denmark’s digital minister
Still, there is no political consensus on where to draw the line. Inside the European Parliament, opinions remain split. Some MEPs, particularly from the far-right groups, argue that parents should retain the primary say over when their children go online. They favour parental consent over EU-imposed limits. Others insist that stronger, mandatory age-verification systems are needed, warning that parental tools alone are insufficient to counter Big Tech’s reach and influence.
