State Secretary Crnčec at Informal Council Meeting on Telecommunication

The Informal Meeting of Telecom Ministers was organised by the Danish Presidency of Council of the European Union on 9 and 10 October 2025 in Denmark

The topics discussed included the protection of children online, digital sovereignty and age verification tools to reduce the negative consequences of age-inappropriate content.

Croatia is one of the signatories of the Jutland Declaration, which aims to ensure a digital environment that guarantees greater safety and protection of minors online. 

Given the speed of technological development, it is important to strike a proportionate balance between digital inclusion, security and fundamental rights, and to involve young people in the design and evaluation of digital protection measures.

Active consultation with minors, taking into account their views, experiences and needs, will ensure that protective policies are effective and respect their autonomy and rights as digital citizens.

‘Croatia reflects growing concerns from parents and mental health professionals about the negative effects of social media on the mental health of children and youth. The common goal, in Croatia as well as in all EU countries, must be to create a safe, responsible and supportive digital environment that also respects privacy and access to information’, said State Secretary Crnčec.

Participants agreed that the key goal was to create an effective and confidential method for age verification and supported the idea that the minimum age should be determined and based on the findings of developmental psychology and neuroscience about the impact of social networks on the cognitive and emotional development of children.

There was also talk of a uniform approach to setting a minimum age at the level of the European Union, because a uniform approach means the same level of protection for all children.

It is important that such a solution is efficient and user-friendly to ensure its uptake and application across the EU.

At the end of his presentation, State Secretary Crnčec touched on the Programme of the Government of the Republic of Croatia 2024-2028, which includes plans for the adoption of the National Programme for Children and Youth in the Digital Environment, and pointed out that the implementation of strong campaigns, like those by the Safer Internet Centre, was an important segment in educating and raising awareness of the public about the dangers in the online world.

Building an open and independent digital Europe requires interoperability, establishment of rules and control over critical infrastructure, to ensure greater digital sovereignty and foster innovation.

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