European Commission calls for mandated age assurance for social media The European Commission’s special panel on child safety online has published its final report. Convened to study how kids’ use of online platforms affects their health and wellbeing, and to gauge how best to approach regulation, the panel met three times between March and June 2026. Its 150-page report weighs the positives and negatives of introducing age restrictions and biometric age assurance tools for social media and other digital services, and includes 14 policy recommendations for EU leaders. “This report comes during a unique window of opportunity,” says Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. “We have heard from parents, educators, experts and young people themselves. We have heard the experience from partners as well as our Member States. Now we need action at European level.” Recommended action applies to a variety of issues, and the formal list that concludes the report prioritizes agency and empowerment for kids. “Children and adolescents should have meaningful opportunities to actively shape legislation, policies, and educational initiatives promoting child safety and empowerment online,” says recommendation number one. “Children should be included in the co-design of safety policies, training programmes, evaluations and guidelines. Number two is related: “strengthen complaint and reporting mechanisms and consumer rights for children and adolescents.” Indeed, the full list leans heavily into digital literacy and education. “Mainstream digital education and literacy actions for minors, parents and caregivers, teachers and educators,” the panel says. “Support teachers’ training to include digital and media literacy and involve parents.” ‘Supervisory authorities should intensify cooperation’ That said, there is also a list of (non-numbered) recommendations aimed at social media firms, focused on regulation. Top among them is a call to propose “a harmonised EU-wide access restriction to social media and other digital services for