Cyprus seeks to limit social media access for teenagers

The European Commission has introduced a new application for age verification, which is intended to limit minors' access to social networks.

Cyprus is among the countries where the system is already being tested. President Nikos Christodoulides stated that the island plans to set the minimum age for social media use at 15.

The app was presented by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. It will allow users to verify their age when logging into online services—similar to checking IDs when purchasing alcohol.

The system is already undergoing testing in several EU countries, including France, Greece, Spain, Italy, Denmark, and Cyprus, and will soon be available to the general public.

According to von der Leyen, the issue requires an urgent solution:

• one in six children faces online bullying;
• one in eight is involved in bullying others;
• social media platforms are designed to hold users' attention for as long as possible.

The developers emphasize that the application:

• does not transfer personal data to platforms;
• works anonymously and does not track the user;
• can be used on different devices;
• has open-source code.

In Cyprus, the system is planned to be integrated into the national Digital Citizen app within a year. Authorities are also drafting a law that will define age verification rules and penalties for violations.

Discussions on restrictions for minors are also ongoing at the EU level—European leaders will soon consider the possibility of introducing tougher measures, up to a total ban on social media for children.