Data Protection Day 2026: Protecting children's online personal data

The European Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) collaborate daily to protect personal data. For children's data, extra vigilance is crucial in today's rapidly evolving digital world. New risks constantly emerge, making robust protection essential. A video highlights online data protection risks for kids. Children face higher online risks than adults, often failing to recognize dangers or trusting strangers excessively. They may share personal data unknowingly. Apps frequently collect their data, and without proper safeguards, children can encounter harmful content. These risks impact their privacy, creating lasting digital footprints difficult to erase throughout their lives. Protecting children’s data is a strategic priority for the EDPB. The Board has made significant advances in safeguarding children's digital rights, demonstrating its commitment through active measures and policy development. In February 2024, the EDPB adopted a Statement on legislative developments concerning a Regulation proposal. This proposal aims to prevent and combat child sexual abuse. The Statement aligns with the EDPB-EDPS Joint Opinion on the same critical proposal, reinforcing their unified stance. In February 2025, the EDPB adopted an age assurance Statement. It guides organizations in GDPR-compliant age assessment. Age assurance is vital to prevent children from accessing inappropriate content. However, age verification methods must be minimally intrusive, and children's personal data must always be rigorously protected, balancing access with privacy. The EDPB's age assurance statement outlines ten principles for compliant personal data processing. These principles apply when determining an individual's age or age range. The EDPB supports age threshold measures, but only if they are proportionate. They must also adhere to key EU data protection principles, including privacy by default, ensuring robust safeguards. Furthermore, as outlined in the EDPB strategy for 2024-2027, the Board is actively developing Guidelines. These guidelines will focus specifically on the compliant and safe processing of children's data, reinforcing their commitment to child protection. The EDPB is simplifying data protection for children. They are engaging directly with kids about online privacy, breaking down complex ideas into simple, relatable concepts. Using colorful, interactive materials, the EDPB aims to help children understand their digital rights and the crucial importance of protecting their personal data effectively. A dedicated "Privacy for Kids" hub will soon launch. This platform will provide parents, teachers, and educators with resources to help children understand and protect digital privacy. The hub will aggregate educational materials from DPAs across Europe, offering content in multiple languages to ensure broad accessibility and impact. In the spirit of Data Protection Day, and anticipating the new hub's launch, we offer a sneak peek. An animated video reveals why children must understand online data protection risks. Watch it with kids to foster awareness. Share widely to reach more children, initiating vital conversations about privacy and responsible online behavior. This video is the perfect way to start a meaningful conversation with them about privacy and responsible online behaviour. It highlights the importance of protecting personal data in the digital age, empowering children to navigate the internet safely and securely. Please note: your browser may not support embedded videos, which could affect viewing the animated content mentioned.