Source: European Parliament
On 25 June 2025, IMCO discussed its own-initiative report on the protection of minors online. The Rapporteur, Christel Schaldemose (S&D), emphasised the urgent need to strengthen online protections for minors. While the Digital Services Act (DSA) offers a strong foundation, she stressed that enforcement and additional measures are still needed, in view of growing exposure of minors to harmful content online. In particular she called for clearer implementation of Article 28 of the DSA.
In this context, she welcomed the upcoming Commission Guidelines for Protection of Minors Online, but insisted more should be done, including evaluating the feasibility of EU age assurance systems and addressing addictive design practices. IMCO Members broadly agreed on the importance of stronger protection of minors online, calling for legal loopholes to be closed and rules to apply across the whole of digital space, including video games and streaming. Many highlighted the risks of addictive features like infinite scrolling and recommender systems targeting minors. Concerns were raised about fragmented enforcement across Member States, with calls for a harmonised EU approach. Members also noted the importance of parental involvement, media literacy, and greater transparency in influencer marketing and stricter measures against radicalising or exploitative content targeting young users.