Cyprus introduces age limits for social media: control through digital identification

The Cypriot authorities are preparing a reform that will restrict access to social networks for children under 15. As President Nikos Christodoulides stated, the key tool will be the Digital Citizen app, through which user age verification will be carried out.

The system is based on technology developed by the European Commission. It uses the principle of "zero-knowledge proof" — the user confirms their age without disclosing personal data to the platforms. According to EU representatives, once the age is confirmed, the link between the verification service and the user is severed.

It is planned that Digital Citizen will become the national verification tool. Currently, about 145,000 people use the app, but in the future, it may become mandatory for accessing a number of online services.

The government emphasizes that the measure is aimed at protecting children. However, experts warn of possible risks. Digital rights lawyer Andreas Shialaros believes that this is not only about age control, but also about creating a "digital gateway" between citizens and the internet. In his view, it is important to provide data protection guarantees and prevent excessive expansion of state powers.

Special attention is given to foreign nationals: the integration of their documents into the system is expected by the end of 2026.

The question of the effectiveness of such measures remains open. Experience from Australia shows that teenagers continue to bypass restrictions using VPNs and other tools. Nevertheless, the EU intends to tighten requirements for platforms, including potential fines for non-compliance with the rules.

The legislative framework is expected to be finalized by 2027, with the system's implementation starting as early as the end of 2026.