Denmark’s Digital Minister, Caroline Stage Olsen, has called on major technology companies to take responsibility for protecting children online, insisting that they are more than capable of implementing effective age verification systems. Speaking to Euronews, Olsen responded to growing industry resistance over proposed EU safety regulations, stating, “They are the biggest companies in the world, with a bigger economy than most of our countries could ever dream of. I think they will manage to find a solution.”
Earlier this week, Olsen and EU Technology Commissioner Henna Virkkunen announced a collaborative effort involving Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, and Spain to develop national age verification apps. These tools are designed to allow users to confirm they are over 18 before accessing adult or age-restricted content online. While initially launched as separate systems, the long-term aim is to incorporate this functionality into the upcoming European Digital Identity Wallet (eID), a continent-wide digital ID platform expected to launch in 2026.
The initiative comes at a time of mounting pressure on major digital platforms to do more in the fight against child exploitation and exposure to harmful content. Central to this effort is the EU’s proposed Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) regulation, introduced in 2022 and currently under debate. The regulation emphasizes the need to verify the ages of users to prevent predators from targeting children online. Despite concerns over privacy and costs, Olsen dismissed objections, pointing out that the world’s largest tech companies have the technological resources and financial strength to comply.
Some platforms have already introduced AI-based tools to estimate users’ ages, but experts have raised questions about their accuracy and transparency. Olsen expressed confidence that companies like Meta, Google, and TikTok can do more, saying, “I’m sure that they will manage to have hired some of the brightest heads in the world concerning technology.”
Last year, Meta proposed a Europe-wide age verification and parental notification system. Under its plan, if a child attempts to download an app, app stores would be required to inform their parents. However, this suggestion received mixed reactions from EU policymakers, who argue that platforms should be directly accountable for user safety, rather than relying on third parties like app distributors.
Currently, each EU member state maintains its own age verification standards, leading to inconsistencies across the bloc. Although existing laws such as the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) advocate for stronger protections for minors, they stop short of enforcing standardized requirements.
As Denmark takes on its role chairing the EU Council of Ministers in the second half of 2025, Olsen said the country intends to prioritize child online safety during its presidency. “I will use the presidency to put this on top of the agenda and set a clear, political ambition that can shape EU policy in the years to come,” she said.
One potential pathway to legally mandating age verification tools lies in the upcoming Digital Fairness Act. Set to be introduced by the European Commission in early 2026, the proposed legislation aims to protect consumers from online manipulation and harmful digital practices, particularly those affecting children. If adopted, it could require platforms to implement robust age checks across the board, marking a significant shift in Europe’s digital regulatory landscape.
