Better Internet for Kids

In recent years, research has been undertaken to investigate and analyse different measures for age assurance online.

As part of comprehensive EU efforts, as enshrined in the European Strategy for a Better Internet for Kids+ (the BIK+ strategy), the European Commission recently published a research report, Mapping age assurance typologies and requirements, that examines various types of age assurance and outlines ten essential requirements to consider when implementing age assurance tools.

Here, we make a range of resources available to place a spotlight on age assurance, for those with a general interest, along with easy-read explainers to help raise awareness in educational and family settings, and resources aimed at digital service providers to help them check their own compliance.

Age verification solution

In July 2025, the European Commission presented guidelines on the protection of minors, as well as a prototype of an age-verification app under the Digital Services Act (DSA). They will ensure that children and young people can continue to enjoy the opportunities the online world offers, such as learning, creativity and communication, while minimising the risks they face online, including exposure to harmful content and behaviour.

The blueprint of the age verification app is user-friendly and protects privacy, setting a ‘reference standard' in age verification online. It will, for example, allow users to easily prove they are over 18 when accessing restricted adult content online, while remaining in full control of any other personal information, such as a user's exact age or identity. It prevents identity tracking. To prevent linkability of transactions, proofs are issued in batches, for one-time use only. The age verification app will be tested and further customised in collaboration with Member States, online platforms and end-users.