EU-Wide Social Media Age Limit Pushed by Dutch Coalition Partners

The Netherlands is the latest European country to push for stricter rules on children using social media. Its new minority coalition wants to set a minimum age for social media use at 15 across Europe. The proposal is part of a broader digital policy priority focused on child safety, site accountability, and strengthened online regulation.

The coalition includes Democrats’ 66 (D66), the Christian Democrats Appeal (CDA), and the People’s Party of Freedom and Democracy (VVD). It states that the commonly applied age threshold of 13 for social media access is no longer adequate to shield young users against online harms. The key points of the proposal include the implementation of privacy-friendly age verification to impose a higher age limit without overzealous data collection.

In addition to age limits, the government of the Netherlands intends to tighten its control over the major online platforms. The proposal recommends mandatory disclosures around algorithms and revenue, tighter oversight of illegal content, and expedited removal orders, including suggested timelines for deleting unlawful material following a regulatory decision. The coalition also aims to prohibit what it calls addictive, polarizing, and anti-democratic algorithms.

The proposal sits within a broader international push to strengthen child online safety rules. In France, lawmakers have approved legislation that would restrict access to social media for users under 15, with implementation planned for September 2026. Australia has begun enforcing account-based restrictions for under-16s, requiring platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent minors from holding accounts. In the UK, policymakers and civil society groups continue to debate whether stronger age assurance requirements and platform design rules are needed to reduce online harms for children.

Although the Dutch coalition lacks a parliamentary majority at the moment, it appears to enjoy public approval, with surveys indicating strong support for stricter age restrictions. This proposal can change how platforms protect children and follow regulations. It can increase the need in Europe for age-verification technologies that are scalable, compliant, and respect privacy. This approach can improve child safety on these platforms.