Meta Pledges Support for EU-Wide Digital Majority Age, Emphasizing Parental Approval for Teen Online Access
Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has publicly announced its commitment to supporting the establishment of a harmonized digital majority age across the European Union. In a recent announcement titled “Supporting an EU-Wide Digital Majority Age for Teens: Online Access with Parental Approval,” published on July 3rd, 2025, the company outlined its vision for a future where young people can access online services with robust parental oversight.
The proposal aims to create a consistent legal framework within the EU regarding the age at which individuals can independently consent to the processing of their personal data for online services, and more broadly, engage with the digital world. Currently, age requirements and regulations surrounding digital services can vary significantly between member states, leading to a complex and sometimes inconsistent experience for users and businesses alike.
Meta’s statement highlights a strong emphasis on empowering parents and guardians in this evolving digital landscape. The company is advocating for a model that would allow younger teens to access online platforms and services, provided their parents or legal guardians grant explicit consent. This approach seeks to strike a balance between fostering digital literacy and participation for young people, while simultaneously safeguarding their privacy and well-being.
Key to Meta’s proposed framework is the development of sophisticated, yet user-friendly, parental control tools. These tools would enable parents to manage their children’s accounts, set privacy preferences, and potentially approve access to certain features or content. The company is reportedly investing in advanced technologies to ensure these consent mechanisms are secure, verifiable, and easy for parents to understand and utilize.
Furthermore, Meta has expressed its willingness to collaborate with EU policymakers, regulatory bodies, and civil society organizations to shape the details of this new digital majority age framework. The company acknowledges the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach to ensure that any new regulations are effective, practical, and truly benefit young people and their families.
This proactive stance from Meta signifies a recognition of the growing importance of digital identity and online engagement for teenagers, as well as the critical role of parental guidance in navigating these experiences. By supporting a unified digital majority age with a strong emphasis on parental approval, Meta aims to contribute to a safer and more predictable online environment for young Europeans. The company’s commitment to ongoing dialogue and development suggests a genuine effort to adapt its services to meet the evolving needs and expectations of users and regulators across the EU.
Supporting an EU-Wide Digital Majority Age for Teens: Online Access with Parental Approval
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Facebook published ‘Supporting an EU-Wide Digital Majority Age for Teens: Online Access with Parental Approval’ at 2025-07-03 22:01. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.