Instagram supports the EU’s proposal for a continent-wide “Digital Majority Age” to enhance youth online safety. For over a decade, Instagram has implemented measures to protect young users, requiring a minimum age of 13 and introducing Teen Accounts on Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger. These accounts offer safeguards such as limiting contacts, filtering sensitive content, and setting daily usage limits.
With the average teenager using around 40 apps weekly, each with varying age requirements and safety standards, a consistent Digital Majority Age is needed. This would set a uniform minimum age for all apps, requiring parental approval for younger teens and preventing them from turning to less safe digital spaces.
Implementation relies on three pillars: broad application across digital services, a centralized and robust age verification system, and a streamlined parental approval process. Requiring app stores or operating systems to verify age and gain parental consent is privacy-preserving, widely supported, and already used in countries like the U.S. and Brazil. A coordinated public-private approach is essential to protect today’s digital generation.
Want the full picture?