But setting different ages might prove difficult to implement, for example, if teens are traveling between countries.
3. What’s the right age?
There’s a hot debate on what the right minimum age should be, with 15 or 16 being the main contenders.
Denmark, France and Greece are in the 15 and above camp. Denmark is moving ahead, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announcing plans this month to demand parental controls for social media platforms for children under 15.
Spain supports a digital age of majority at 16, which Slovakia has also previously expressed support for. Australia — one of the few countries worldwide to take action — also set the minimum age at 16.
Many countries have yet to make up their minds. In September, Germany set up an expert commission to determine the best way forward.
Two countries declined to sign the widely supported declaration — Estonia and Belgium. Tallinn said it is in favor of enforcing existing rules, such as the GDPR, rather than new restrictions — and investing in education.
“Estonia believes in an information society and including young people in the information society,” said Estonia’s minister of justice and digital affairs, Liisa-Ly Pakosta.
Belgium is struggling with regional differences, with the Flemish region vetoing the declaration. Belgian minister Vanessa Matz said there is still “determination to advance this fight for a safer internet.”