On 13th May 2025, the European Commission (EC) published its long-awaited draft guidelines on the protection of minors online under Article 28 of the Digital Services Act (DSA). This marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of age assurance, setting clear expectations for how digital platforms must assess and mitigate risks to children.
These guidelines not only reinforce the importance of age-appropriate design but also highlight the essential role of modern age verification and estimation tools in creating safer online spaces.
At 18Verified, we break down what the new EU guidelines mean, what your platform must do to comply, and how to stay ahead of the law while protecting your youngest users.
What Is the Digital Services Act (DSA)?
The Digital Services Act is a landmark EU regulation that came into force in 2024. It applies to all major online services operating within the European Union, including:
- Social media platforms
- Online marketplaces
- User-generated content sites
- Hosting services and search engines
The DSA’s primary goal is to make the internet safer and more transparent—especially for vulnerable groups like children and teenagers. Under Article 28, platforms must take proactive steps to protect minors from harmful content, exploitative advertising, and online grooming.
Key Points from the European Commission’s Guidelines
The May 2025 draft guidelines issued by the European Commission outline how Article 28 should be interpreted and enforced. Here are the major takeaways:
🔍 1. Risk-Based Approach
Platforms must identify and assess potential risks that their services pose to minors—including content exposure, interactions with adults, and algorithmic influence. Based on the level of risk, appropriate safeguards must be implemented.
🎯 2. Age-Appropriate Design
Platforms must tailor content, functionality, and advertising based on a user’s age group. This aligns closely with the UK’s Age Appropriate Design Code (AADC) and reinforces the importance of creating child-safe digital experiences by design.
🔐 3. Age Assurance as a Legal Standard
The Commission confirms that age verification and estimation are crucial for meeting compliance obligations. Platforms are expected to implement solutions that are:
- Accurate and proportionate
- Privacy-preserving and GDPR-compliant
- Fit for different levels of risk
Examples include:
- Government ID checks
- Credit reference data or SIM-based checks
- AI-powered facial age estimation
- Email and mobile phone metadata analysis
📢 4. Transparency, Controls & Reporting
Platforms must offer:
- Clear reporting tools for abuse
- Parental controls (where applicable)
- Transparent moderation and algorithmic processes
Why This Matters Now
The release of these draft guidelines signals that compliance is no longer optional—it’s a requirement for doing business in the EU digital ecosystem.
The risks of inaction include:
- Fines of up to 6% of global annual turnover
- Platform takedowns or service restrictions
- Reputational damage with users, investors, and regulators
The message is clear: protecting children online must be a platform priority.
How 18Verified Helps Platforms Meet DSA Compliance
At 18Verified, we offer cutting-edge, privacy-first age assurance technology that supports DSA compliance without compromising user experience.
Our solutions include:
- ✅ Age Verification using government-issued ID, credit checks, mobile number verification, and payment methods
- ✅ AI-Powered Facial Age Estimation — frictionless and anonymous
- ✅ Email & Metadata-Based Estimation — lightweight and accurate
- ✅ GDPR-compliant with no unnecessary data storage
- ✅ Certified to PAS 1296:2018
- ✅ Easy integration via API or plug-and-play options
- ✅ Affordable subscription model — no pay-per-check pricing
Whether you’re a video-sharing platform, adult content site, social network, or online community, we help you stay compliant and protect your most vulnerable users.
Get Ready Before It’s Too Late
The EU is setting the global standard for online child safety, and the Digital Services Act will be strictly enforced. Platforms that fail to act risk severe penalties—not to mention the harm caused to real users.
Don’t wait until enforcement starts. Build safety and trust into your platform now.
👉 Learn how 18Verified supports EU and UK compliance
👉 Talk to our team today
Tags: Digital Services Act, Article 28 DSA, EU child safety, online child protection, European Commission age verification, age assurance tools, GDPR compliance, PAS 1296, AI facial estimation, 18Verified, online platform compliance, protect minors online, EU regulation 2025, digital risk assessment
