• Digital child and youth protection must be further developed without disproportionately restricting digital participation.
• eco calls for EU-wide uniform solutions instead of isolated national solutions.
• The complexity of digital services must be consistently taken into account when advancing protection mechanisms, while maintaining a technology-neutral approach.

Berlin, February 19, 2026 - The debate on a legal minimum age for social media continues to gain momentum. Initiatives from the SPD and CDU/CSU parties envisage mandatory age verification and, in some cases, far-reaching restrictions. eco - Association of the Internet Industry calls for a differentiated, European-coordinated solution and warns against blanket bans.

"The protection of children and young people online is a priority. Regulation must designed in a practical, proportionate, and EU-law compliant manner," says Oliver Süme, Chair of the Board of eco. "Blanket bans do not do justice to the complexity of digital services and the realities of young people's lives."

Risk-based approach already established

Many platforms already operate with a minimum age based on their terms and conditions. This is based on functionalities, use cases, and the specific risks for minors. Age information and checks when creating an account enable special teen accounts with protection mechanisms activated by default, such as contact restrictions, adjusted privacy settings, age-appropriate recommendation systems, usage time controls and parental supervision options.

In addition, companies apply a combination of measures against illegal content: reporting options, close cooperation with trusted flaggers - including Trusted Flaggers as defined by the Digital Services Act (DSA) - as well as prioritised reporting structures for other recognised complaint bodies. The eco Complaints Office has been contributing to the rapid removal of illegal content for 30 years.

Observing the EU-wide legal framework

Article 28 of the DSA and accompanying guidelines set out binding requirements for the protection of minors on online platforms. Providers must implement appropriate and proportionate measures to ensure a high level of privacy, safety and protection - with age-appropriate access and age verification play a central role. Very large platforms are subject to additional obligations regarding risk assessment and risk mitigation.

Due to the DSA's full harmonisation, Member States are generally not permitted to enact conflicting national special requirements in areas that are already regulated.

Designing age verification in a technology-neutral and proportionate manner

The discussion about a generally binding minimum age is inextricably linked to effective age verification. An EU Digital Identity Wallet could offer advantages for certain age groups in the future, as procedures would be known and standardised throughout Europe. At the same time, sufficient flexibility must be maintained when selecting appropriate methods. Legislating in favour of a single technology would make regulation rigid and restrict innovation. Contingency scenarios must also be considered.

In addition, various effective age verification systems have already been established. Reducing this to just one method would displace existing systems and would have to be measured against strict proportionality requirements. Regulation should therefore be formulated in a technology-neutral manner.

Oliver Süme says: "What I find missing from the political debate is a clear distinction between different types of platforms and clarity on which types of services are actually being targeted by calls for age restrictions."

eco survey shows differentiated public opinion

A representative YouGov survey commissioned by eco shows that while clear protection mechanisms are broadly supported, the public also expects practical and EU-wide uniform solutions.

"Child and youth protection is a task for society as a whole. In addition to regulatory issues, media literacy, education and effective enforcement of existing rules are essential," says Süme. "eco stands for a constructive dialogue with the aim of striking a balance between protection, innovation and participation."

Links:

eco Complaints Office: https://international.eco.de/topics/policy-law/eco-complaints-office/

eco/YouGov - Survey on youth media protection: https://international.eco.de/presse/eco-association-survey-majority-of-germans-want-age-restrictions-for-social-media-but-consider-them-unworkable/