The age of consent for data use refers to the minimum age at which an individual can independently consent to the processing of their personal data. Under the GDPR, the default age of digital consent is 16, though individual EU member states can lower it to as young as 13. For example, the UK, France, and Belgium set the threshold at 13, while Germany and the Netherlands require 16.
In the United States, COPPA sets the threshold at 13 for children’s data collection. Below these thresholds, parental or guardian consent is required before any personal data can be collected or processed.
Websites that may attract underage visitors must implement mechanisms to verify user age before collecting personal data or setting non-essential cookies. This can range from simple age-gate screens to more robust verification methods depending on the risk level and regulatory requirements.
Cookie consent banners should account for age thresholds by presenting appropriate consent flows when a visitor indicates they are below the applicable age of consent. Failing to implement these safeguards exposes businesses to significant regulatory penalties.
Seers’ consent management platform supports age-gating within the consent flow, allowing businesses to present tailored consent experiences based on a visitor’s indicated age.
When a visitor falls below the applicable age threshold, Seers.ai can restrict data collection to only what is legally permissible and request parental consent where required. This ensures compliance with GDPR, COPPA, and other age-related data protection requirements without disrupting the user experience.
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