The European Union is taking a bold step to protect minors online. From 2025, EU children’s data protection rules will become stricter than ever, affecting every online platform and digital service that minors under 18 might use.
Under the Digital Services Act in the EU, the Online Safety Act in the UK, and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act in the US, minors are now officially recognised as a distinct risk group requiring stronger safeguards.
If you develop online platforms, apps, games, or educational environments, here are the 7 key changes you need to prepare for.
1. Private-by-Default Settings
Children’s accounts must now be private by default. That means no open profiles, no public friend lists, and no automatic location sharing.
Cameras, microphones, and content downloads must be disabled unless a user actively opts in.
2. Stricter Age Verification
Simply asking “How old are you?” will no longer cut it.
Developers will need reliable and hard-to-bypass age verification—using options like mobile network checks, bank account linking, or the upcoming EU Digital Identity Wallet.
3. Ethical Design for Children
The EU is pushing for ethical design for children, meaning no manipulative UI tactics.
Features like infinite scrolling, autoplay, body-altering filters, and gambling-like rewards will have to be opt-in only, not enabled by default.
4. Child Rights-Focused Risk Assessments
If your platform might be used by minors, you’ll need to conduct a child rights-focused risk assessment.
This involves analysing how your content and features impact minors and adjusting business models and privacy settings accordingly.
5. Transparency in Data Use
Children’s personal data is now treated as not only sensitive but “ethically charged.”
That means full transparency on how data is collected, processed, and used—and clear, age-appropriate explanations that minors can understand.
6. Limiting Algorithmic Influence
Recommendation systems designed to keep users scrolling will come under heavy scrutiny.
The goal: reduce excessive screen time and ensure algorithms do not exploit children’s vulnerabilities.
7. Global Compliance Is a Must
These changes don’t stop at EU borders. If your platform is accessible in the EU, UK, or US, you must comply with minors’ data protection rules in all three jurisdictions—or risk fines, brand damage, and loss of user trust.
Why This Matters
According to Krete Paal, CEO of the privacy tech startup GDPR Register, protecting children’s rights online isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s a matter of public trust. Platforms that deliver safe, transparent, and ethical digital experiences will have a competitive advantage as parents and educators grow more vigilant.
💡 Pro Tip for Developers: Tools like GDPR Register help simplify compliance with the GDPR and related minors’ privacy rules, giving you a structured way to manage your documentation, processes, and risk assessments.
FAQ – EU Children’s Data Protection Rules 2025
Q1: What is changing in EU children’s data protection in 2025?
From 2025, the EU will require private-by-default settings, stricter age verification, ethical design for children, and risk assessments for platforms that minors can access. These rules are part of the Digital Services Act.
Q2: Which platforms must comply with these new rules?
Any online service or digital product—such as games, apps, or educational tools—that can be used by minors under 18 in the EU, UK, or US must comply.
Q3: How will age verification work under the new rules?
Platforms must use reliable, hard-to-bypass methods such as mobile network verification, linking to bank accounts, or the EU Digital Identity Wallet (launching in 2026).
Q4: What does “ethical design for children” mean?
It means removing manipulative features by default, such as infinite scrolling, autoplay, or gambling-like rewards, and requiring active opt-in instead.
Q5: What happens if companies fail to comply?
Non-compliance can lead to significant fines, loss of public trust, and potential bans from operating in regulated markets.
