Navigating the complexities of parenting in the digital era is no small feat. As a parent who has been vocal about these challenges, I constantly grapple with questions like when my child should receive their first phone and whether they’ll be safe exploring the online world. My professional journey has been dedicated to enhancing online safety for children, so I am persistently focused on creating secure and positive digital experiences for teenagers on platforms such as Instagram. Additionally, I am keen on finding ways to help parents monitor their teens’ online activities effectively.

### The Growing Challenge for Parents

Today, keeping track of teens’ digital lives is increasingly challenging for parents. Studies indicate that teenagers are now using an average of 40 apps per week, a number that is steadily rising. They seamlessly switch between these apps to connect with friends, engage with family, and explore new interests. With the rapid pace of technological advancement, it becomes almost impossible for parents to stay informed about all the applications their teens are using. Consequently, it is imperative for the technology industry to collaborate with lawmakers to devise simple and effective solutions that better support parents in this endeavor.

### Advancements in Teen Online Protections

Tech companies are actively working on various measures to ensure that teenagers have age-appropriate experiences on their platforms. For instance, Instagram has recently introduced Teen Accounts, a new feature that includes built-in protections for teens, which are guided by their parents. These accounts, currently being rolled out in Europe, automatically restrict who can contact teens, control the content they are exposed to, and filter offensive comments and direct message requests. Any changes to these settings for users under 16 require parental consent. However, it is important to note that different platforms have varying content policies and age verification systems, which often do not conform to uniform standards.

### The Fragmented Regulatory Landscape

This issue has been a focal point for European policymakers and digital platforms for over a decade. Yet, there is no universal solution for age verification and ensuring age-appropriate experiences. The regulatory landscape is fragmented, leading to a patchwork of approaches and protections. While the European Union has enacted several regulations concerning internet usage, there is a noticeable lack of leadership specifically addressing the online safety of young people. As a result, teenagers encounter vastly different online experiences based on the apps they use and their geographical location.

At the European level, several legislative measures aim to protect minors, including the Digital Services Act, the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, the General Data Protection Regulation, and various initiatives like the Better Internet for Kids Strategy. Additionally, there are ongoing policy discussions in several EU Member States, including France, Italy, Germany, and Spain. However, none of these measures provide a consistent approach to age verification and age-appropriate experiences.

### A Unified Approach for Better Online Safety

To ensure better protection for teenagers online, there is a need for new EU regulations that offer clear and consistent protections applicable to all apps they use. This regulation should be grounded in a set of core principles that provide a reliable framework for age verification and parental involvement.

### Age Verification and Parental Approval at the OS/App Store Level

A practical solution would involve requiring operating systems or app stores to notify parents when a teenager wants to download an app. This notification system could function similarly to the alerts parents receive when their teen attempts to make a purchase. By placing the approval point within the OS or app store, the process is simplified and leverages existing optional approval systems. This approach allows parents to easily verify their teen’s age, helping apps offer age-appropriate experiences. Additionally, in some countries, parents already provide official identification, such as government IDs, to app stores when purchasing a teen’s phone and setting up their account. This method prevents the need to share sensitive information with multiple apps.

### Consistent Content Standards and Parental Supervision Features

There is a pressing need for uniform industry standards regarding age-appropriate content that parents can trust. Different platforms have varying rules and processes, leading to inconsistencies. Built-in protections should be standardized across all apps that teens use, particularly social media apps. Similar to the approach with Teen Accounts, certain apps should be mandated to offer parental supervision tools, including features like setting daily time limits. There should also be broader industry alignment on the types of content deemed appropriate for different age groups, akin to standards set for movies and video games.

### Harmonised Regulation Across the EU

For any solution to be effective, it must be supported by a legislative framework that applies uniformly across all EU Member States and for all apps used by teens. A new EU regulation that holds all apps to the same standard would be the most straightforward and efficient way to support parents and their teens. Recently, a proposal for such a framework was submitted to the European Commission as part of their consultation on the Digital Services Act. This proposal reflects widespread support across the industry and growing backing among parents. A recent survey by Morning Consult revealed that nearly 75% of parents in the eight European countries surveyed would support a Europe-wide law requiring parental approval for teens under 16 to download apps. Support was particularly strong among Irish, Italian, French, and German parents.

### The Path Forward

As technology continues to evolve, it is crucial to ensure that parents and teens are adequately equipped to navigate the online world safely. Collaborating with industry peers and regulators across Europe will be essential in finding solutions that alleviate the burden on parents while enhancing online safety for teens. By creating a cohesive and comprehensive regulatory framework, we can foster a safer digital environment for young internet users.
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