European Commission Strengthens Online Safety for Children
Executive Vice-President Virkkunen stated at a Dublin conference that the EU is strengthening online protection for children through the Digital Services Act (DSA) and AI Act. 97% of minors in the EU go online daily, and teenagers aged 13-18 spend an average of 4.5 hours on screens per day. The Commission has opened investigations into platforms including X, Shein and Snapchat, and issued 10 preliminary findings.
Impact and considerations
This policy will affect content moderation and design compliance requirements for online platforms, with potential indirect impacts on digital marketing in the travel and hospitality sectors.
Key points
- 97% of minors in the EU go online daily; teenagers aged 13-18 spend an average of 4.5 hours on screens per day.
- The EU requires platforms to be responsible for minors' safety through the Digital Services Act (DSA).
- The Commission has opened investigations into platforms including X, Shein and Snapchat.
- 10 preliminary findings have been issued, involving platforms such as TikTok and Meta.
- The AI Act bans AI practices that manipulate, deceive or exploit children's vulnerabilities.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- European Commission
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 11 Sept 2026, 15:01
- Page published
- 12 Sept 2026, 00:03
- Last updated
- 11 Sept 2026, 15:01
- Original links
- European Commission Press Corner：Speech IE Presidency's Conference on Online Safety for Children and Young People (opens in a new tab)Primary source · en · Published 11 Sept 2026, 15:01