Netherlands and Spain Propose EU-Wide Social Media Minimum Age Limit of 15

On September 11, 2026, the Dutch government, operating jointly with Spain, submitted formal regulatory recommendations to the European Commission advocating for an enforceable European Union-wide minimum age limit of 15 for social media access. Presented by Dutch Junior Minister for Digital Economy and Sovereignty Willemijn Aerdts, the proposal emphasizes that digital platforms must adhere to child safety standards equivalent to physical consumer goods. The two nations argued that a unified European rule is essential to prevent regulatory fragmentation across member states and provide clear compliance guidelines for technology companies, parents, and regulators. A central focus of the initiative is the implementation of privacy-preserving age verification mechanisms. Under the proposed framework, digital platforms would be required to verify user ages without collecting excessive personal identification data or violating fundamental privacy rights. The joint position addresses growing public health concerns regarding youth social media consumption, including sleep deprivation, anxiety, depression, and exposure to harmful or addictive algorithmic design. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to address child online protection in her upcoming State of the Union presentation, with European authorities evaluating advisory recommendations on digital age restrictions.