European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen announced a new EU-wide age verification app designed to make the online environment safer for children.

The app will allow users to prove their age when accessing online platforms without sharing any additional personal data. It is designed to be privacy-focused, meaning users cannot be tracked, and is compatible with all devices, including phones, tablets, and computers. The system will also be open-source, allowing other countries and platforms to adopt it.

Von der Leyen said the initiative responds to growing concerns about children’s safety online, including cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and addictive platform design. She stressed that protecting children online is a priority and that responsibility lies with platforms, not parents alone.

Several EU countries, including France, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Spain, Cyprus, and Ireland, are already planning to integrate the tool into their digital identity systems.

The Commission also warned that it will enforce EU digital rules more strictly, stating that children’s rights must come before commercial interests.