EU debates stronger child protection measures in upcoming Digital Fairness Act

European Union member states are examining whether to include additional protections for children in the upcoming Digital Fairness Act (DFA), a legislative initiative aimed at improving fairness and consumer protection in digital services.

The discussion follows a policy document circulated during Cyprus’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, which invites national governments to consider how child safety could be addressed within the broader framework of platform regulation.

EU policymakers are increasingly concerned about how digital platforms expose minors to risks such as harmful content, manipulative design practices, and online environments that may not adequately protect younger users. These concerns have led to proposals for stronger safeguards in the design and operation of online services used by children.

Among the issues under consideration are stricter requirements for platform design, particularly regarding recommendation systems, monetisation models, and other features that may influence how children interact with digital services.

The discussions form part of the EU’s wider effort to strengthen digital governance. The Digital Fairness Act is expected to complement existing legislation, such as the Digital Services Act, while introducing additional consumer protection measures that could include provisions specifically focused on minors.