Better Internet for Kids

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.

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.

Can youth voices truly shape the future of digital safety in Europe? After taking a part in the Article 28 event in Brussels, I can confidently say - we’re getting there!As a participant, I was part of a group preparing to share our thoughts on Article 28 of the Digital Services Act (DSA) , a groundbreaking piece of legislation aimed at making the internet a safer place for minors. Our focus was on how these rules would apply to Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) aka the major players that shape much of our digital lives.Stepping into the conversationMy involvement began well before the main event in Brussels. With a group of young people from across Europe, I participated in three online preparatory sessions, where we dug into the risks we face online every day. These weren't surface-level conversations. We analyzed the real and potential dangers, from exposure to harmful content, to manipulative algorithms, and discussed how current policies (or lack of them) affect our digital experience.One surprising, but crucial risk area we identified was the lack of serious attention to misinformation. In a world where young people increasingly turn to the internet as their primary source of information, especially about current events, the spread of disinformation is a serious threat. The connection between online misinformation and the broader political landscape cannot be ignored. It's something I believe should be more explicitly addressed in the future, as something that carries impact and its consequences projected onto my generation such as radicalisation, ongoing prejudice and shaping one’s political views.From preparation to policyAll of our online discussions and preparations led to the Article 28 event held on June 4th in Brussels, where I had the privilege of working alongside other young delegates, VLOP representatives, politicians, and third-sector stakeholders.The event kicked off with inspiring opening speeches that set the tone, highlighting both recent achievements of the Safer Internet community, and the urgent need for further  legislation to protect children and teens online. It was a powerful reminder, that while the internet can be a place of connection, creativity, and growth, it can also expose us to serious harm when left overlooked.The youth-focused panel was one of the event's most memorable moments. This was where our voices, our experiences, concerns, and ideas took center stage. We shared our thoughts on the DSA measures and reflected on the participatory process we had just gone through. Having our opinions valued in such a way was not only empowering, but was validating.Trying to “match the room” and what I discoveredAs the Brussels event approached, I felt a strange mix of excitement and pressure. I knew I was going to be in rooms filled with professionals, politicians, policymakers, tech experts. So I did what many young activists do quietly behind the scenes: I studied. I read all of the paperwork, took notes, challenged my creativity to come up with new solutions, just so that I would have something to say in a space dominated by adults.And then came a moment that changed my view. I found myself in conversations with representatives from my favorite platforms. Wait. I can actually ask them direct questions? About algorithm transparency? About their newest privacy policy updates? I was hyped.Some of them really surprised me - in a good way. They challenged my views, brought insight, and seemed genuinely invested in users’ wellbeing. But I also encountered the other side - the part of Big Tech that still sees users as products, not people.Take the debates on age verification, for example. In some cases, it was easier to call an old system “secure enough” than to update it to actually prioritize safety. That’s when it hit me: safety isn’t always profitable, and that’s a huge problem. We can’t keep viewing children as data points.We want to explore the digital world without wondering if our personal content is training AI, or worrying about scams every time we click. We want real control over our online playground. Tools that are easy to use, reporting systems that actually show results, and policies that protect us by design, not by afterthought.Why youth participation mattersOne message I kept coming back to and shared during the panel is: young people must be included in shaping the laws that aim to protect them!How are we supposed to feel protected and respected in the digital world, if decisions about our safety are made without consulting us? We are not just passive users of the internet. We are digital natives, the first generation to grow up entirely online. We understand, firsthand, what’s dangerous, what’s missing, and what needs to change. At the same time, working on our digital citizenship is the key to a generation of responsible, educated and safe youth.Our input shouldn’t be seen as a nice-to-have, but as essential. If lawmakers truly want to create policies that work, they must cooperate with the people they affect most. And that includes youth.My final messageTo young people reading this: don’t underestimate your power to influence. If you're passionate about online safety, digital rights, or any policy that affects your future - get involved. Speak up. Your voice matters more than you think.To decision-makers: keep listening. Keep creating spaces for youth to participate. You’ll find that we're not just ready to engage, we're already doing the work!The digital world is our world too. And we’re ready to shape it. Discover more about youth participation activities in the BIK Youth section of the portal.