The guidelines outline best practices for protecting minors from online risks
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EU unveils prototype age verification app and platform guidelines
The European Commission has unveiled a set of guidelines and a prototype for an age verification app designed to create a safer online space for children across the EU.
The announcement is part of the EU’s broader Digital Services Act (DSA) enforcement strategy to project minors from harmful online content and behaviour.
The newly published Guidelines on the Protection of Minors provide a framework for online platforms to follow to ensure that children enjoy high levels of privacy, safety, and security online.
The privacy-preserving age verification app prototype is now set to be piloted in five Member States: Denmark, Greece, Spain, France and Italy.
“Making sure our children and young people are safe online is of paramount importance to this Commission,” said EU tech policy leader Henna Virkkunen.
“The guidelines on the protection of minors for online platforms, combined with the new age verification blueprint, are a huge step forward in this regard. Platforms have no excuse to be continuing practices that put children at risk.”
Developed following a wide-reaching consultation process that included young people, experts and stakeholders, the guidelines outline best practices for protecting minors from online risks such as:
Addictive design: Platforms are urged to reduce features that encourage compulsive behaviour, such as message ‘streaks’ and read receipts.
Cyberbullying: Measures include allowing minors to mute or block users, require consent before adding them to groups, and restricting others from downloading or screenshotting their content.
Harmful content: Platforms should enhance content control by prioritising user feedback over algorithmic predictions when recommending content to minors.
Unwanted contact: Accounts of minors should be private by default to reduce the risk of being contacted by strangers.
The guidelines also outline a risk-based approach, acknowledging that platforms differ in size, function and user base.
Privacy-first age verification prototype
The age verification app, described by the EC as a “gold standard” in digital age assurance, allows users to verify they are over 18 – for example, to access adult content – without disclosing personal information such as exact age or identity.
It ensures anonymity: the app does not track, store, or reveal what content is being accessed, according to the announcement.
Importantly, the app will be tested and customised with input from Member States, online platforms, and users, with Denmark, Greece, Spain, France and Italy serving as early adopters.
The app can operate as a standalone tool or be integrated into national systems. It’s built to be compatible with the European Digital Identity (eID) Wallets, scheduled for rollout by the end of 2026, potentially allowing seamless age verification as part of future digital IDs.
The guidelines further clarify when and how age checks should be conducted, particularly for high-risk services like adult content platforms.
In May 2025, the Commission launched formal investigations into four major adult websites – Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX and XVideos – amid concerns over insufficient age checks.
The Commission has indicated that adoption of its official verification tool could help these platforms meet compliance requirements.
The Commission now calls on platforms, Member States, and technology developers to cooperate closely in bringing these tools to life – ensuring that the digital future is not just innovative, but also inclusive and safe for all ages.