European Union: European Parliament adopted resolution on protection of minors online (2025/2060(INI))

On 26 November 2025, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the protection of minors online as part of an own-initiative-procedure on the topic (2025/2060(INI)). The resolution calls for the implementation of an EU-wide harmonised digital minimum age of 16 for accessing social media, video-sharing platforms and AI companions without parental consent, with 13 as the minimum age for any social media use by children even with parental consent. Further, the report reviews the existing state of digital legislation in the EU and points to potential gaps. Specifically, it calls for the prohibition of certain addictive design features, the review and clarification of the legal framework in relation to dark patterns, measures to ensure a high level of protection in relation to video games, such as outlawing loot boxes and other randomised gaming features, and encourages further action to ensure the protection of minors from commercial exploitation including in relation to child influencers. In general, the resolution also called for strengthened enforcement of the Digital Services Act and the swift implementation and enforcement of the Artificial Intelligence Act.