Chapter 2 · Principles

Article 8Conditions applicable to a child's consent

All 99 Articles Chapter 2: Principles

For online services offered directly to children, consent is only valid if the child is at least 16 — or a lower age set by the member state, but never below 13. Below that, a parent must consent.

Key points

  • Default digital age of consent is 16; member states may lower it to as low as 13.
  • Controllers must make reasonable efforts to verify parental consent.
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These summaries are a plain-English orientation only and are not a substitute for the official text of the Regulation or for legal advice.

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