How the EU is working to protect children online

Last updated on Wednesday, 15/07/2026

The Commission is tackling child safety online policy shaped with young people, making the internet safer and providing young people with the tools to navigate risks like cyberbullying that can affect mental health.

Children and young people are increasingly online, with 96% of 15-year-olds across the EU using social media. While access to digital tools is important, it comes with significant risks, including grooming, exposure to harmful content like hate speech, and adverse effects on mental health. A recent Eurobarometer report also found that parents systematically underestimate how much time their children are spending on screens. In this report, one in six adolescents reports experiencing cyberbullying, while the average adolescent reports 4.5 hours online on school days.

The EU is advancing child safety online through several initiatives:

• The Commission recently published guidelines for the protection of minors under the Digital Services Act, as well as a blueprint for an age verification solution, which will make protecting children online easier by allowing users to verify their age online without compromising their privacy. 
• The Commission also recently adopted an Action Plan Against Cyberbullying, which provides parents and children with the tools necessary to combat and report cyberbullying. 
• The Better Internet for Kids (BIK) initiative works to make the internet safer for children while helping them take advantage of the opportunities it offers, through services like the Safer Internet Centres across Europe, which provides guidance, support and resources such as helplines and youth participation services.
• The Commission’s #InThisTogether campaign complements these actions by offering practical tips to help young people and parents discuss screen use, make informed choices and establish healthier digital habits and boundaries. It underlines that protecting young people’s mental health from excessive screen time, addictive algorithms and harmful online content is a shared responsibility.

Crucially, the Commission’s policies are being shaped by young people themselves through Youth Check consultations, via the Youth Policy Dialogues, discussions on Cyberbullying, ‘Navigating the online world’ and the Digital Fairness Act. The first President’s Youth Advisory Board, which took place in December 2025, brought young people together to provide policy input on online safety and social media use. Board’s representatives also contributed to the discussions of the Special panel on child safety online.

The Trio Presidency (IE, LT, EL) of the EU has made Youth Goal 4: ‘Information and Constructive Dialogue’ a priority. The Irish Presidency starting the 12th Cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue will offer an opportunity to reinforce media literacy, critical thinking and youth participation in democratic life, in line with the EU Youth Strategy and broader EU efforts on digital citizenship, and plans to promote the creation of spaces for young people and support young people to adapt to an evolving information environment. Accessible youth spaces - both physical and digital - are essential for participation, social inclusion and well-being. The EU Youth Conference will be held in in Dublin in September 2026 and will facilitate dialogue on youth policy which will feed into the upcoming EU Youth Strategy.

Find out more in the report of the special panel on child safety online Special panel - European Commission