EU Child Safety Panel Delivers Report Pushing Age Verification and Stricter Platform Rules

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The European Commission received the final report from its Special Panel on Child Safety Online on July 13, 2026, presented directly to President Ursula von der Leyen. The panel, established following von der Leyen's 2025 State of the Union address, drew expertise from health, neuroscience, child rights, and digital literacy, and also incorporated input from young people. The report signals a clear policy direction toward stricter platform safeguards, age verification schemes, and age-appropriate access controls for minors on social media. While the report is intended to inform future EU policy rather than impose immediate binding obligations, an EU Age Verification Scheme has been identified as a central area of consideration. Businesses operating digital services used by younger audiences are advised to begin reviewing their current practices ahead of formal legislative measures expected through 2026 and beyond.

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