Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on July 14, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleFive EU countries are testing an age verification app to protect children online, aligning with the Digital Services Act. This initiative aims to tackle harmful content and improve children's safety.
By Foo Yun Chee
BRUSSELS (Reuters) -France, Spain, Italy, Denmark and Greece will test a blueprint for an age verification app to protect children online, the European Commission said on Monday, amid growing global concern about the impact of social media on children's mental health.
The setup for the age verification app is built on the same technical specifications as the European Digital Identity Wallet which will be rolled out next year. The five countries can customise the model according to their requirements, integrate into a national app or keep it separately.
The EU executive also published guidelines for online platforms to take measures to protect minors as part of their compliance with the bloc's Digital Services Act (DSA).
The landmark legislation, which became applicable last year, requires Alphabet's Google, Meta Platforms, ByteDance's TikTok and other online companies to do more to tackle illegal and harmful online content.
Elon Musk's X, TikTok, Meta's Facebook and Instagram and several adult content websites are currently being investigated by EU regulators on whether they comply with the DSA.
EU regulators said the new guidelines would help online platforms to tackle addictive design, cyberbullying, harmful content and unwanted contact from strangers.
"Platforms have no excuse to be continuing practices that put children at risk," EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said in a statement.
The effect of social media on children's mental health has become a growing global concern, with dozens of U.S. states suing Meta, while Australia last year banned social media for children under 16.
(Reporting by Foo Yun CheeEditing by Gareth Jones)
France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, and Greece will test the age verification app.
The Digital Services Act (DSA) mandates that online platforms take measures to protect minors.
The effect of social media on children's mental health has raised concerns, leading to actions like lawsuits against Meta in the U.S. and bans in Australia.
The app aims to protect children online by ensuring that platforms comply with age verification standards.
EU regulators are currently investigating major platforms like TikTok and Meta for their compliance with the DSA.
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