Better Internet for Kids

The special panel on child safety online, announced in the 2025 State of the Union address, will provide expert recommendations to better protect and empower children online and will explore the need for potential harmonised age restrictions to access social media.On 5 March 2026, I had the immense honour of travelling to Brussels for the first meeting of the Special Panel on child safety online. Serving as a BIK+ youth representative for this milestone event was both a privilege and a profound responsibility. It was fascinating to meet experts from various fields, including health, computer science, and child rights, from across the EU, and to be a youth voice in that room meant representing millions of young Europeans whose daily lives are deeply intertwined with the digital world.My drive to participate stems from the fact that social media has become central to young people's lives across the European Union. It is part of our identity, community, communication, and learning. Yet, we can’t ignore the very real risks, such as addictive platform designs and exposure to harmful content. We want to ensure that the policies being drafted do not resort to overly restrictive, one-size-fits-all solutions. Young people want protection, not control. My primary motivation was to advocate for regulating addictive and manipulative design at the system level, rather than simply banning young people from these spaces.A major highlight of the event was the opportunity to engage directly with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. In her opening speech, she emphasised that while we have made the real world safer for children for decades, we must now do the same in the digital world. It was incredibly important to see her put those words into action by actively listening to our input. Throughout the formal session and even during our breaks, having the chance to share youth perspectives on digital rights, age limits, and platform design was truly impactful.The parallel breakout sessions were equally memorable, offering a unique space to brainstorm with specialists across various disciplines. These discussions with top scholars and advocacy groups felt like a genuine effort, focused entirely on discovering what actually works in practice.One of my biggest takeaways from our discussions is that creating a safer internet requires a highly nuanced, multi-stakeholder approach. While the panel is actively exploring the need for potential harmonised age restrictions to access social media, there is a shared understanding among youth that age restrictions are, in principle, not seen as an adequate stand-alone solution. Blanket bans remove valuable opportunities for connection and learning.Instead, we believe in addressing the root causes of online harm, like engagement-driven AI, infinite scrolling, and manipulative features, rather than just putting up a digital fence. The responsibility needs to shift from the users to the platforms.We also need to back this up with real investments in media literacy and safe offline spaces so young people can build resilience. This experience reinforced just how crucial our grassroots work is. Through my own work with BIK Youth and the Safer Internet Centre Generazioni Connesse in Italy, I see first-hand how these national centres bridge the gap between high-level policy and local youth, providing the trusted spaces and critical thinking skills we need to navigate the digital world safely.If I could share one message with other young people, it is that our voices carry immense weight. The perspectives of young people are a key part of the discussions on placing limits on social media use, proving that we are active co-creators of our digital future. We are currently working to shape the EU's online safety recommendations, which the Special Panel will deliver by summer 2026. I encourage every young person to stay informed, speak up, and claim their space in these critical conversations. Read the full press release and find further information about the special panel on child safety online.Discover more about youth participation activities in the BIK Youth section of the portal.

The conference explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping family life, with discussions focusing on rights, inclusion, online safety, and the opportunities and risks AI presents in everyday contexts. BIK Youth ambassadors played an active role by contributing their perspectives, co-moderating sessions, and highlighting the importance of AI literacy and youth voices in shaping a safer digital future. My name is Zuzanna, and I’m a Better Internet for Kids Youth Ambassador, as well as a Youth Panellist for the Polish Safer Internet Centre. I’d love to give you an insight into what it's like to represent young people's voices! In March 2026, I had the great pleasure of speaking at COFACE’s “Families in the age of artificial intelligence: Rights, inclusion and empowerment” conference in Athens. However, preparations began several months earlier so we could deliver nothing but the best ideas to our guests. Our panel included three BIK Youth Ambassadors, each covering a different topic. I chose to speak about AI in CSAM (child sexual abuse material) and how families are impacted by the ever-growing technological developments that can overlook the safety and well-being of children. Sounds like a tough theme, doesn't it? I think so too. Imagine how flustered I felt deciding to speak up about this matter. However, I couldn't give it up because I believe caretakers aren't sufficiently aware of said danger and would rely on an outsider's opinion; hence, I dedicated my time to researching and debating with my colleagues to broaden my perspective and gain opinions to share.Fortunately, COFACE’s and the BIK Youth programme moderators have been the key guides in my preparation phase. I was recommended countless resources and received advisory support at every step leading up to the event.On the day of the conference, I felt this nagging in the pit of my stomach, as I always do before a public appearance. At the back of my mind, there are always concerns, either tied to the fact that I might be the youngest and least experienced, or simply struggling with my notes and vocabulary. The thing that made me excited to speak out, though, was hearing echoes of my ideas  during other panels. Moreover, during breakout sessions, I had an amazing opportunity to co-moderate a panel tackling “Online safety and navigating AI in digital environments”, which not only aligned with my academic interests, but also sparked great debates and insightful questions leading to the same conclusions I had prepared for my own presentation. It gave me this sense of understanding and a chance to share something fresh with the gathered professionals and representatives.The gathered experts and parents were the best public we could have had! I always appreciate the need for a youngster to be listened to in order to see a cause in a new light. It’s common for me to repeat myself like a broken record, but it must be mentioned - you can’t decide on our generation's future and reality without including us in the debate! It would be simply pointless otherwise. The floor was engaged, excited, and intrigued by the idea of youth tackling topics of great responsibility and seriousness. I challenged the audience to see online reality through a child's perspective. Is it really a digital playground? Have you ever used any chatbots or platforms yourself? I raised the inevitable topic of very large online platforms (VLOPs, as designated under the Digital Services Act (DSA)) capitalising on children's harm, lobbying governments to stay strict in legal encounters and law enforcement, how current politics shape the way we perceive and experience social media, and why sharenting is the peak of irresponsible practices. It stressed me out to tackle topics so controversial, but on the other hand, that’s what I’m here for! I, as a young adult, view it as crucial to understanding our reality, so why wouldn't it be a valid point? It sparked great debates and led to so many precious questions and insights afterwards!We talked about my peers feeling the lack of empathy occurring in those who use media extensively, and the way our perception of sexuality and shame has been shaped and reinforced by algorithms. I am forever grateful to my friends who shared those priceless insights during prior brainstorming and supported me through narrating them to the broader public. I felt heard: my voice mattered and stirred debate. I will always advocate for youth to be involved in policymaking, opinion shaping, and research; hence, we can’t deny our digital citizenship. I loved every question that came by. The philosophical ones - about the online world being a black mirror to society's flawed worldviews, and the personal ones - do I feel safe posting my face, or verifying apps with my documents? All of them mean the world to me, and if just one person left the room with a dilemma, an idea, or a fresh perspective, I know I’ve done my job right! This experience gave me a feeling of fulfilment, purpose and agency. I understood the complexity of AI in families, and just how many areas of homelife are affected by it. To my disappointment, I also became aware of the limits we face regarding law enforcement and politics. The event highlighted the importance of international cooperation and ground-up action. I left Athens more critical but also more understanding and curious. Advocating for youth voices and planting new ideas and views in professional settings gives me a sense of purpose and fulfilment. My interest in online safety and AI continues to shape both my academic work and future career path. I am aware of the gap between me and the other participants, but it's the most thrilling part! Getting to hear their fruitful feedback motivates me for future initiatives and brings me hope in our cause. As a young person, I feel directly affected by the rapid development of AI technologies, yet young voices are often missing from these discussions. This is why participating in this event was important to me… not only to learn, but also to represent my generation's perspective.Discover more about youth participation activities in the BIK Youth section of the portal.

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.

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.