Slovakia proposes 15‑year age limit for access to risky digital services

The Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization (MIRRI) in Slovakia has presented a draft law that would set a technically enforceable age threshold of 15 for minors to use risky digital platforms. The proposal covers online games with addictive mechanisms, commercial use of children’s data, AI‑driven services, and the activities of child influencers. It also introduces a right for minors to have their digital footprints erased and mandates age verification through the European Digital Identity (EUDI) wallet.

The draft, developed with input from psychologists, legal experts, police, schools and children themselves, aims to protect young users without banning technology. It does not address cyber‑bullying, which the ministry says will require separate legislation. Opposition parties have criticised the bill for legislative chaos and for conflicting proposals – the education ministry is reportedly preparing a similar measure with a 16‑year limit. Soňa Hanzlovičová, head of MIRRI’s child‑protection unit, noted that students differentiate between younger primary‑school pupils and older secondary‑school students in their online habits.

If passed, the law would impose new responsibilities on platforms to verify ages, strengthen parental controls and grant children the right to request deletion of their online data.