Better Internet for Kids

SIF 2025 is co-created by youth: what does that entail?The Safer Internet Forum (SIF) is youth co-created, which means that young people are actively involved in shaping the event at every stage. But what does that really entail? At SIF 2025, it involves helping to design the programme, leading sessions, and guiding discussions to make sure the Forum reflects the views and priorities of young people across Europe.Young people at the centre of SIF 2025In the months leading up to this year’s Forum, young people have been taking a leading role to ensure that SIF 2025 truly represents today’s digitally connected youth.Two key youth groups, the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) Youth Panel and the Safer Internet Forum Youth Advisory Group  (SIF YAG), have been working closely with the European Commission and the BIK Coordination Team to shape the Forum.The BIK Youth Panel 2025 includes 33 young people aged 13 to 18 from 25 European countries, including five youth members of the EU’s Children's Participation Platform. Since September, they have been meeting regularly online to explore topics such as age-appropriate online experiences, social media age restrictions, and responsible gaming. They have shared ideas, developed materials, and prepared presentations to contribute directly to discussions at the Forum in Brussels.The SIF Youth Advisory Group (SIF YAG) 2025, made up of six young people, has been helping to shape the programme, select speakers, and design sessions. In the days before the Forum, they will also lead sessions, chair discussions, and work alongside policymakers and industry experts to make sure the youth perspective is fully represented.Spotlight on youth-led sessionsAt SIF 2025, young people will play a central role in several sessions. The roundtable on potential age restrictions for social media will allow BIK Youth Panel members to present priorities from children and parents. In parallel sessions on age-appropriate online experiences, they will discuss how social media can be safer, more inclusive, and child-centred. In the responsible gaming session, young people will share their experiences alongside parents, child safety experts, and industry representatives on age ratings and parental control tools. These youth-led activities ensure that discussions are grounded in real experiences and address the needs of children and young people today.By involving young people directly in the planning and delivery of SIF 2025, the Forum is helping to create a safer, more informed, and inclusive online environment for children, young people, and all digital users.Discover more about BIK Youth activitiesTo stay updated on youth activities related to the Better Internet for Kids agenda across Europe, visit the BIK Youth section on the BIK platform. Learn more about the Safer Internet Forum 2025 and secure your online spot now!The image above shows youth participants from Safer Internet Forum 2024.

The Digital Services Act (DSA) Article 28 guidelines event in Brussels was a very valuable discussion. I, as a student and young person, was very thankful to be included in the event alongside so many other young people from so many varied European member states to all contribute to the draft guidelines. I participated in a previous event about DSA Article 28, which is why I enjoyed the latest event so much, to see the article take a near final form. Having public civilian input is very valuable when it comes to all and any legislation and institutions, but also having conversations with industry, big and small, was very valuable alongside many civil and children's rights groups. I find it very motivating to work with the DSA, especially on Article 28, to see what motions there are in place and will continue to be in place in the ever-changing online forms. I worked in conversations with industry and varied civil rights and children's rights groups in discussions about risk analysis and age verification, reporting and blocking online which I hope our conversations, concerns, agreements and disagreements may help form a better article which may help protect children online to the best of anyone's abilities.Article 28 was described as a living article which may be subject to change, which I find very important as how quick and shifting the online world is the surrounding legislation must have to be checked on, so it is still working effectively. I truly hope that this article helps children stay safe online, and we continue to work with industry, policymakers, rights groups and young people on policies as we move towards the future of the DSA and online policymaking as a whole. I am very grateful to be included in the discussions about DSA Article 28 and look very promising to it being fully enacted.   Discover more about youth participation activities in the BIK Youth section of the portal.

On 16 September, Directorate General for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture, and Sport held a youth policy dialogue on cyberbullying to exchange views and hear the perspectives and priorities of young people on how the European Union can develop an action plan against cyberbullying. Participants addressed key issues and provided recommendations to help the European Union tackle cyberbullying.Commissioner Glenn Micallef initiated the policy dialogue, emphasising both the opportunities provided by connectivity and the risks of excessive online exposure. He highlighted that cyberbullying remains a major challenge in protecting children and young people online.The European Union has developed strong legal and policy frameworks to enhance the digital safety and wellbeing of children and youths. Major initiatives namely the Better Internet for Kids' Strategy (BIK+) and the Digital Services Act (DSA) help children navigate the internet safely through responsible digital engagement and the imposition of strict rules on online platforms to curb harmful and illegal content. Despite these actions, the rate of children experiencing cyberbullying remains high as 1 in 6 adolescents report have experienced cyberbullying. In response, the European Commission is developing an action plan against cyberbullying focusing on minors from vulnerable backgrounds and identifying gaps in prevention, detection, and responses across the EU. The action plan will propose concrete measures, including developing a shared definition of cyberbullying, strengthening education and support systems, and improving reporting channels. As explained by the Commissioner, his focus will be on three streams of work; age verification, the effects of social media on young people, and the specific realities faced by young people from vulnerable backgrounds. Amongst the participants in the policy dialogue, six longstanding Youth Ambassadors of BIK, exchanged views with Commissioner Micallef and provided recommendations to tackle cyberbullying.Youth Ambassadors highlighted the need for stronger age verification and easier reporting mechanisms to ensure that perpetrators hiding behind anonymity can be held accountable for their online actions.“Being a part of the Youth Policy Dialogue was an unforgettable experience. Amazing ideas were brought to the table, and I was truly inspired by hearing the opinions of other young people. All of us agreed on the fact that cyberbullying, along with other factors, such as anonymity and underage users, is a huge issue. We got to share our own experiences, points of view, and ideas to eliminate it. I appreciated the way the commissioner really listened to everyone and explained the whole process behind creating the action plan against cyberbullying.”Miroslav, 18, SlovakiaYoung people also discussed the serious impact of cyberbullying on mental health as well as the need for a coordinated approach from professionals, educators, and parents to create safer spaces in class and at home. Participants agreed that a common definition of cyberbullying is key to developing measures and training for parents and professionals to identify it and to support children and young people to addressing it.“I shared my perspective on how online harassment affects young people and the need for stronger measures to ensure safety in digital spaces. The meeting gave me valuable insight into how European institutions address such challenges, and it was inspiring to see how youth voices can contribute to shaping policies that promote a safer and more inclusive online environment.”Ivita, 16, LithuaniaThe policy dialogue was an opportunity for the European Commission to gain insights from young people who witness the devastating effects of cyberbullying, while also giving those young people the chance to learn about the measures the European Union is taking to address and fight cyberbullying.“The conversation gave us young people the sense that our voices truly matter in shaping future policies and legislation. It was inspiring to collaborate on such an important issue and to leave with the feeling that together we can make a real difference for the future.”Aisling, 18, Ireland “It was wonderful to see such collaboration with young people on a topic as diverse and complex as cyberbullying, ensuring that the Commission’s EU-wide action plan against cyberbullying is as effective as it could possibly be. I truly enjoyed hearing the other participant’s suggestions and truly believe that our input was heard and action is being taken on what was discussed.”George, 18, Malta “The discussion was incredibly productive, where everyone shared their views based on their experiences, not only as young people like myself and others, but we heard from educators, university students, partners of NGOs, etc. It was a very open conversation, prompted by the opening statement from the Commissioner, Glenn Micallef. Commissioner Micallef asked us follow up questions and was genuinely curious about possible solutions that we thought would be the most effective for issues such as age verification, anonymity, and overreliance on technology.”Diya, 17, FinlandDiscover more about youth participation activities in the BIK Youth section of the portal.

On June 4, 2025, I had the privilege of stepping into the heart of European policymaking in Brussels. I was not there as a tourist, but as a delegate, a member of the Italian youth panel "Generazioni Connesse," ready to contribute to a high-level stakeholder consultation. The subject at hand was no small matter: Article 28 of the Digital Services Act (DSA), a crucial piece of legislation dedicated to the protection of minors online.The goal was to review a comprehensive draft of Article 28 before it moved to the next legislative stages. Initially, the prospect was daunting. The room was filled with legal experts, academics, and representatives from major technology companies. My initial fear was that my perspective as a young person might be just a symbolic gesture in a room full of seasoned professionals.That apprehension quickly vanished. The day began with an introductory panel where I, alongside three other young people from various European countries, was given the floor to open the proceedings. This set a powerful tone: youth were not just being consulted; we were an integral part of the debate. The core of the work took place in focused discussion groups, each tackling complex themes within the article. I participated in sessions on age verification and recommender systems. It was a masterclass in multi-stakeholder dialogue. Hearing the varied, and sometimes conflicting, perspectives from public and private actors was fascinating. Yet, what truly stood out was a shared, genuine commitment to finding workable solutions for the safety of minors. The informal conversations during the breaks were just as constructive, weaving a rich tapestry of ideas and opinions.This experience profoundly deepened my understanding of the challenges at hand. I learned that an issue like age verification, which seems straightforward on the surface, is fraught with technical and ethical complexities. However, it was the discussion on recommender systems that resonated with me the most. I became more convinced than ever that, for minors, platform algorithms must evolve. We need to shift the focus from maximizing passive "engagement" to prioritising active user feedback. The systems that curate content for young people must be designed to prevent harmful content and avoid trapping users in echo chambers, promoting instead a healthy and diverse digital experience.I left Brussels feeling genuinely empowered. The experience was a powerful exercise in international collaboration and a testament to the EU's commitment to its young citizens. It taught me that creating effective, positive change requires deep listening and the active involvement of all parties, especially those most affected.  Discover more about youth participation activities in the BIK Youth section of the portal.