The European Union wants apps, websites, games and social media to be fair and safe for consumers in general, and children as young consumers in particular.
To make this happen, as part of the preparation of the EU’s upcoming Digital Fairness Act (DFA), we asked EU children and teenagers for their input through an online survey in April 2026.
Children said that they want the online world to be safer, fairer and easier to understand. They do not want every online feature to be banned, and many want children, parents and carers to have choices.
However, they were clear that stronger rules are needed where online services may be unfair, harmful, addictive, or designed in ways that make children spend more money than they intend.
Who did we hear from?
- 4,786 children and teenagers aged 12-17
- from all 27 EU countries
- 54% girls, 42% boys, 3% other, 1% didn’t say
Digital product designs that are safe by default and designed with the well-being of children and adolescents in mind, not to cause harm or dependence.
What children said
Below are a few points from the main question categories. Download the full survey report to get all the responses, insights on differences related to age or gender, and more quotes from children.
- Features
- 48% of the surveyed children asked for some kind of rule or control on design features such as infinite scroll.
- 80% of children supported some kind of rule for loot boxes. 32% thought they should be banned for children, and 28% wanted the chances of winning each item to be clearly shown.
- Adverts and prices
- 58% of the surveyed children wanted stronger rules on personalised adverts and different prices.
- 37% said they did not like personalised adverts, while 29% said they did not really mind them.
- 70% opposed websites and online shops showing different prices to different people.
- Influencers
- 69% of children said influencers should only be allowed to promote products to children that are safe and appropriate.
- Over 80% said that these types of products should NOT be promoted to children:
- alcohol, cigarettes and vaping products
- gambling and betting apps and websites
- cosmetic surgery or cosmetic treatments
- diet pills and supplements that can harm your health
- Age limits and checks
- 78% of children suggested an age limit, ranging from 12 to 18, for joining social media. Responses varied on when, where and how limits should be applied.
- 203 children suggested alternative approaches to age rules for social media, such as:
- Having parents as main decision-makers
- Staged access by age
- Rules based on content or features...
- 72% of children supported some form of age check, with 42% saying age checks were a good idea, and 30% that age checks should only happen sometimes; on specific apps and websites.
Don’t be too restrictive; it’s better to invest in educating and informing children so they can cope better. Prevention is better than prohibition.
What children want
The surveyed children shared over 1,000 suggestions on what the EU could do to make the online world fairer and safer for children and teenagers. Grouped into themes, they recommend:
- More education about online safety
- Help for parents and carers to understand the online world
- Age limits and age checks to be used carefully
- Access to harmful or adult content limited for children
- Safe-by-design and safe-by-default digital environments and products
- More transparency and control over algorithms, recommender systems
- Improved reporting, moderation and enforcement
- Privacy and data protection, while avoiding turning safety into surveillance
- Safer dedicated and age-segmented online spaces and tools
- Support for mental health and offline life
What happens next?
- Q3 2026: child-friendly survey results published (in all EU languages)
- Following the adoption of the DFA, a child-friendly Act will be published in all EU languages
Did you know that he EU has other rules to help keep children safe online, like the Digital Services Act (DSA)?
Read all about the Digital Services Act