Óscar López calls for faster progress in the EU to protect minors in the digital environment

The Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Function, Óscar López, during the informal Council of Telecommunications Ministers held in Horsens (Denmark)

The Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Function, Óscar López, has argued before his European counterparts for faster progress in the deployment of measures to protect minors in digital environments. "We must do more, better and faster," he urged his European counterparts at the informal Council of Telecommunications Ministers in Horsens, Denmark.

"A European girl does not drive a car because there are controls. A European minor does not buy alcohol because there are controls. A European child does not go to a concert alone because there are controls. If rules that protect minors work in the analogue world, the time has come for us to be just as forceful in the digital world," the minister emphasised. In Spain, for example, 91% of minors go online every day and the average age of first access to pornographic content is 11 years old.

In his speech, the minister explained how the Government is promoting a draft Organic Law for the protection of minors in digital environments, which includes, among other new features, raising the age for registering on a social network from 14 to 16 without parental consent, and the criminalisation of deep fake sex as an offence against moral integrity.

Due to the differences there may be between countries, Lopez has called for cross-cutting and harmonised European solutions, such as robust age verification systems and measures to minimise addictive designs. In all cases, these measures must be "complemented by raising awareness and accompanying minors in the acquisition of digital skills".

Spain leads the way in work on an age verification app

"Spain has been a pioneer in moving forward with a Digital Portfolio fully aligned with European standards. This tool is already in the interoperability testing phase with the European Commission's pilot project, in which other member states such as France, Denmark, Italy and Greece are taking part," he said. The minister acknowledged that in this regard Europe needs the cooperation of industry and a strong, harmonised legal framework to make these tools work. He is convinced that the 2026 European Digital Identity Portfolio "must be a turning point".

"Platforms must be more committed to European digital rights and member states must promote joint and effective solutions," said López.

Non official translation