EU targets child safety online, proposes strict age limits for platforms like OnlyFans

The European Commission announced that it will introduce a proposal after the summer to restrict access of children under 13 to digital platforms until the services can prove they are safe. The plan calls for limited, supervised use for this age group, followed by a gradual opening up to adults up to age 18. The initiative comes amid growing concerns about sexualised content and other harmful material reaching minors, highlighted by the rise of platforms such as OnlyFans that allow users to monetize intimacy.

Member states are already moving on the issue: Australia has banned access for under‑16s, while several European countries—including France, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Slovenia and Greece—have set age limits between 15 and 16. Spain is drafting a law to raise the minimum registration age to 16 and has pledged to block access for younger users. The EU proposal, championed by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, seeks a common framework to protect children across the bloc.