The European Commission is activating a new digital "shield" to protect minors on the Internet, presenting the European age verification app, which – as Ursula von der Leyen announced – is now "technically ready" and will be available to citizens very soon.
"When it comes to children's safety online, the situation is extremely worrying," the Commission President noted, describing an environment where cyberbullying, addictive platform design and exposure to harmful content are a daily risk for minors.
"One child in six is subjected to cyberbullying," he emphasized, adding that the increased use of screens also increases the risks.
How will the app work?
The application will allow users to prove their age when entering platforms or services with age restrictions, without revealing personal data.
"Users will be able to prove their age (…) like when showing ID to buy alcohol," explained Ursula von der Leyen.
It is for parents to raise their children. Not platforms.
The European Age Verification App is ready ↓ https://t.co/EumEPEJOI7
- Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 15, 2026
The process will be simple, according to the standards of the corresponding application used during the pandemic (covid certificate), the Commission President said: the user will download the application, activate it via ID or passport and then use an age verification indicator each time access to restricted content is required.
For her part, Executive Vice-President of the Commission Henna Virkkunen placed particular emphasis on privacy protection, clarifying that platforms will not gain access to sensitive personal information.
Our app ticks all the boxes.
✅ Highest privacy standards in the world
✅ Works on any device
✅ Easy to use
✅ Fully open source pic.twitter.com/EUqHlA3ts0- Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 15, 2026
The application will be:
anonymous and untraceable
compatible with all open source devices
to the standards of the Covid certificate
The Commission is attempting to capitalize on the successful model of the pandemic. “We developed the Covid app in three months (…) and it was used in 78 countries,” von der Leyen recalled, emphasizing that the new app is based on the same principles of speed and interoperability, while it can also be deployed in countries outside the EU.
Why are Greece and other countries "pressing" - and France's move
Greece, along with Spain and Cyprus, has requested an acceleration of procedures, reflecting the growing concern for the protection of minors in the digital environment.
Already, seven member states – including Greece, France, Italy and Denmark – are planning to integrate the application into their national digital wallets. The Commission President described them as “pioneers”, as they are at the forefront of implementing the new European solution and act as pilots for its wider implementation at EU level.
At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron is convening a video conference tomorrow with leaders of countries such as Spain, the Netherlands and Ireland, in which Greece is also expected to participate, seeking a common European stance on restricting minors' access to social media.
Paris is "pushing" for a single age limit at the EU level, increasing pressure on the Commission for faster decisions.
Next "steps"
The app is part of a broader push for stricter oversight through the Digital Services Regulation (DSA). “Europe will not tolerate platforms making money at the expense of our children,” Virkkunen warned, referring to crackdowns on major companies for addictive design and inadequate safeguards.
At the same time, the Commission is proceeding with the creation of a coordination mechanism at European level, in order to ensure uniform implementation and prevent further fragmentation of different measures and legislation already applied in the Member States.
"We must avoid 27 different solutions and have a common European approach," the Vice-President of the Commission said characteristically.
The Commission, however, has already set up a group of experts – as announced last September by the Commission President – who will present specific recommendations to EU member states by the summer.
"There are no more excuses"
The message from the President of the Commission to the platforms was clear: "Europe offers a free and easy-to-use solution (…) there are no more excuses," stressed Ursula von der Leyen.
"Children's rights come before commercial interests and we will ensure that this is the case," he noted.
Although the press releases will range from very select to rare, I said I'd pass...because sometimes the editors hide.
