Age Verification: Meta Supports European Proposal

Meta announced support for the proposal to create a Digital Majority Age valid in all European countries, according to which parents must approve the access to digital services by minors. The Menlo Park company also provided some suggestions on implementation. The European Commission has started testing for a dedicated app in anticipation of the European digital identity wallet that will arrive by the end of 2026.

Age verification from app store or operating system

Several European countries are discussing the need to verify users' age to prevent minors from accessing inappropriate content. France, Spain, and Greece have proposed introducing a social media ban, similar to the one planned in Australia . Meta has announced support for solutions that require parental approval.

The Menlo Park company therefore suggests introducing regulation to strengthen the role of parents in monitoring children under 16. However, any new provisions should apply to all digital services used by teenagers, not just social media. Teenagers interact with a variety of apps, on average at least 40 apps a week, including games, streaming, messaging and browsing. A requirement limited to social media could push teenagers into unregulated and less safe digital spaces.

Meta also stresses that the solution must be easy to use and guarantee privacy . According to the Californian company, age verification should be done at the app store or operating system level. Meta adds, however, that support for a Digital Majority Age in Europe does not mean approval of government-imposed social media bans.

Google recently announced a digital wallet -based age verification system in collaboration with Sparkasse in Germany. This is the option chosen by the European Commission. While waiting for the Digital Identity Wallet, an app based on the same technology will be released.