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Better Internet for Kids

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Hands of three teenagers holding smartphones and on social media
  • Article
  • Belgian Safer Internet Centre
  • 29 January 2026

Banning social media for under 15s: a false solution

Several countries, including French-speaking Belgium, are considering banning the use of social media for children and teens under the age of 15. Social media is often cited as the main cause of cyberbullying and, more broadly, mental health issues among young people. It is therefore seen as something children need to be protected from. However, three recent position papers from Betternet partners (the Belgian Safer Internet Centre) Child Focus, Média Animation, the Conseil Supérieur de l’Éducation aux Médias (CSEM), and Mediawijs, point in the same direction: a ban is not the right solution.
Phone screen showing the writing "EU Digital Identity - Age Verification" with two young people using a phone closeby
  • Article
  • European Commission - DG CONNECT
  • 25 September 2025

How the age verification blueprint can help make the internet safer for children

The internet plays a big role in the lives of children, serving as a platform for learning, staying connected with friends and family, and an outlet for play and creativity. But it is also filled with dangers and harmful content. One critical measure to create better and safer online experiences for children and young people is to effectively ensure they can access platforms and content that are appropriate for them, and in turn, are protected from accessing dangerous or harmful content and contact on the internet. This is why the European Commission recently launched its age verification blueprint, based on the European Digital Identity Wallet specifications. Here, we explain how it will work in detail.
Four aligned boxes of increasing height and different colours with the writing "Knowledge hub: Rules and guidelines".
  • Rule and guideline
  • data privacy

Identity Documents Act

The  Identity Documents Act establishes an identity document requirement and regulates the issue of identity documents to Estonian citizens and aliens by the Republic of Estonia. According to the Act, an Estonian citizen under the age of 15 does not have to have an identity card. An ID-card can be used to log in to e-services, such as an online bank, e-Kool (e-school). While there has been discussion on the EU Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI), a decision has not yet been taken on its implementation.

(Source: Estonia - Policy monitor country profile, 2025)

 

  • Estonia

  • Implemented 2000 - Ongoing
  • BIK+ strategy pillar 1 - protection
Cover of the broshure "Technical Child Protection on the Internet". In comic-style: A smartphone screen. Three children are sitting and standing beside or on the screen.
  • Resource
  • Austrian Safer Internet Centre
  • 18 March 2025

Technical child protection on the internet

Although promoting media literacy among young users is the top priority, the use of technical measures on the digital devices of younger children can be helpful. The range of technical child protection measures is vast, and they typically combine various functions to keep inappropriate content away from minors. This usually involves setting usage times, filtering content, and blocking certain applications.

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