Netherlands proposes unified EU minimum age for social media

The Dutch government, in collaboration with Spain, has submitted a joint proposal to the European Commission calling for a unified minimum age for social media use across the European Union. The initiative aims to protect minors from harmful content and addictive algorithms.

While the formal proposal does not specify a single age, the Dutch government has previously advocated for a minimum age of 15. Officials argue that having different age limits in different member states creates significant confusion for parents, children, and regulatory bodies. The proposal suggests that digital platforms must prove their services are safe for children, with potential exemptions for services that meet strict safety standards.

Minister for Digital Economy and Sovereignty Willemijn Aerdts stated, “In the physical world, we do not accept that products are unsafe for children. The same standards should apply to the internet.” The proposal also emphasizes the need for age verification mechanisms that respect privacy rights, ensuring that only age is confirmed without processing unrelated personal data. The scope of these protections could extend beyond social media to include other digital services, such as video games.