EU Digital Services Board discusses child protection and enforcement under DSA

The European Board for Digital Services held its 18th meeting in Brussels on 15 April 2026, focusing on the implementation and enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA), with particular attention to the protection of minors online.

During the meeting, national authorities and the European Commission shared updates on enforcement actions related to Article 28 of the DSA, which addresses the safety of children and teenagers on online platforms. These actions include ongoing investigations involving major platforms such as TikTok, X, Instagram, and Facebook, as well as certain adult content platforms.

The Board confirmed that existing guidelines on the protection of minors will continue to serve as a reference point for assessing platform compliance across the EU.

Participants also discussed the rollout of an EU-wide age verification application. According to the discussion, recent technical updates aim to ensure that the system meets requirements related to accuracy, reliability, and privacy. Different methods for verifying age, including electronic identification and in-person verification, were also considered.

The meeting addressed the role of Safer Internet Centres, which support online safety initiatives for children. The Board highlighted the need for continued funding to maintain its activities.

In addition to child protection, the Board reviewed its own functioning after two years of operation. It discussed ways to streamline its procedures and improve coordination between national and EU-level enforcement efforts.

The Board also exchanged views on recent enforcement cases and provided input on preliminary findings related to specific platforms. These discussions reflected ongoing efforts to align regulatory actions across member states and at the EU level.