This 2026 joint statement, signed by more than 170 organisations and experts, urges the European Commission to prioritise safety-by-design regulation rather than blanket age-based social media bans. It argues that responsibility for children’s online safety should rest primarily with technology providers, which should make services safe and private by design and by default.
The statement calls for stronger enforcement of existing EU digital legislation, mandatory risk assessments and pre-certification for services used by children, age-appropriate design requirements, and safeguards covering social media, gaming, AI systems and other digital services. Its main message is that child online safety should be achieved through safer digital environments and stronger provider accountability, rather than mainly by restricting children’s access.
This 2026 joint statement, signed by more than 170 organisations and experts, urges the European Commission to prioritise safety-by-design regulation rather than blanket age-based social media bans. It argues that responsibility for children’s online safety should rest primarily with technology providers, which should make services safe and private by design and by default.
The statement calls for stronger enforcement of existing EU digital legislation, mandatory risk assessments and pre-certification for services used by children, age-appropriate design requirements, and safeguards covering social media, gaming, AI systems and other digital services. Its main message is that child online safety should be achieved through safer digital environments and stronger provider accountability, rather than mainly by restricting children’s access.
- online safety age-appropriate design
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