Mitsotakis calls for a unified European framework for the protection of minors from digital addiction

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis sent a missive to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, regarding the measures for the extortion of minors from nett addiction.

The missive folows:

“Dear Ursula,

I americium writing to you regarding an contented of intergenerational work that calls for corporate enactment astatine the European level; 1 I cognize resonates with you deeply, not lone successful your capableness arsenic President of the European Commission, but besides arsenic a mother: the extortion of minors from nett addiction.

Today I announced the instauration of nationalist authorities to found a minimum property threshold for entree to κοινωνικά media, effectual arsenic of January 1, 2027. However, nationalist enactment unsocial will not suffice. A unified European model indispensable beryllium successful spot by the extremity of 2026 successful bid to complement and strengthen indispensable nationalist initiatives for the extortion of minors.

We some hold that Europe indispensable take its regulatory battles wisely. I americium convinced this is 1 of them. What is required present is simply a coordinated and swift response.

Under your leadership, we person precocious the European Strategy for a Better Internet for Kids (BIK+), focusing connected safer integer experiences and empowerment, while the Digital Services Act (DSA) — our cornerstone authorities — has introduced stronger accountability and transparency requirements for Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs).

While these initiatives person acceptable a planetary benchmark, further enactment is some imaginable and necessary. Sharing your view that Europe indispensable take its regulatory battles wisely, I americium convinced this is 1 to beryllium waged with dedication.

Considering that nationalist enactment unsocial will intelligibly not suffice, I would similar to propose:

• Scaling the European age-verification aviator into a afloat harmonized, EU-wide model to guarantee uniform implementation crossed the Union by the extremity of the year.

• Mandating the use of this standardized age-verification mechanics for each platforms serving users under the property of 15, eliminating regulatory fragmentation.

• Establishing a European “Digital Age of Majority” astatine 15, introducing a Union-wide prohibition connected entree to κοινωνικά media platforms for users beneath this threshold.

• Requiring biannual property re-verification by platforms to guarantee continuous compliance and forestall circumvention of entree controls.

• Creating a streamlined EU-level coordination and enforcement mechanism, enabling Member States and the European Commission to jointly measure incidents and accelerate the imposition of penalties for non-compliant companies.

Our nationalist inaugural tin service arsenic a exemplary for this broader European solution. “KidsWallet” is an innovative, government-issued exertion that enables parents to acceptable wide boundaries for mobile app usage, while establishing a unafraid and trustworthy age-verification process to guarantee that children are exposed lone to harmless and age-appropriate content. It is already interoperable with the EU age-verification mechanism.

These indicative initiatives correspond lone portion of a broader European strategy, arsenic we see this contented not simply a substance of policy, but an ethical work toward the adjacent generation.

I anticipation you find merit successful these ideas and stay astatine your disposal for a much elaborate exchange.”