Today, the Netherlands, 24 other EU member states, Norway and Iceland signed the Jutland Declaration. In this declaration, the countries agree to work together to create a safer digital world for children. The declaration calls for strict enforcement of existing legislation such as the Digital Services Act and requiring companies to take sufficient measures to protect children using their services. In addition, the countries want new rules to ensure that children do not get hooked by clever design tricks or misled with money tricks. The member states decided this together at the informal Telecom Council in Denmark.
"Learning, relaxing and connecting online is very valuable for children." Says state Digitalization Secretary Eddie van Marum. "But we also see the downside: bullying, shocking images, unwanted contacts and health problems due to too much screen time. That's why social media and other companies offering an online service must take responsibility. And we must help children and parents deal with these services responsibly. This is precisely why it is important for the Netherlands to sign this declaration. Together with 24 other EU member states, we are sending a strong signal that children's online safety comes first."
An important part of the statement is that companies must take more responsibility to protect children who use their services. This means that services for children should be made from the start to be safe and properly protect children, including their privacy. Addictive techniques such as infinite scrolling and auto-playing videos create too much screen time and pose health risks. Children also face dangers in video games, such as cyberbullying, grooming and spending too much money on loot boxes, pay-to-win elements and in-game currency. With the Jutland Declaration, signatory countries are therefore advocating for addressing and limiting these harmful elements.
When there are high risks to children, age verification can help protect them. However, this must be done in a reliable, secure and privacy-friendly way. Because this is a drastic measure, it must always be proportionate. For services or products with legal age limits and whose harmfulness to children is indisputable - such as alcohol and tobacco - the use of age verification is more likely to be justified and sometimes even already required by law - such as with online gambling.
In recent years, important steps have been taken in legislation to protect children online, such as the Digital Services Act (DSA). It is now of great importance that these rules are also strictly observed and enforced. The Netherlands remains committed to this, working closely with the European Commission and national regulators. The European guidelines for the protection of children, adopted in July 2025, are an important step forward: they require online platforms to take appropriate measures for the privacy and safety of children.
