Better Internet for Kids

A seven-year-old playing their first online game and a seventeen-year-old campaigning for climate action share the same internet — yet their needs, capacities and vulnerability to risks could not be more different. Still, they are treated the same on many online platforms. The EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) is changing that, requiring online platform providers to consider children's protection in the design and governance of their platforms. Understanding why age matters means aligning digital environments with how children grow — cognitively, emotionally, socially, and legally.

The internet plays a big role in the lives of children, serving as a platform for learning, staying connected with friends and family, and an outlet for play and creativity. But it is also filled with dangers and harmful content. One critical measure to create better and safer online experiences for children and young people is to effectively ensure they can access platforms and content that are appropriate for them, and in turn, are protected from accessing dangerous or harmful content and contact on the internet. This is why the European Commission recently launched its age verification blueprint, based on the European Digital Identity Wallet specifications. Here, we explain how it will work in detail.

In 2024, regulators and online service providers fully aligned around the Digital Services Act (DSA), a groundbreaking piece of legislation that regulates the provision of online services within the EU, regardless of whether the provider is based in Europe or not. This year, the focus has shifted to implementing these legislative principles in practice. In particular, measures aimed at safeguarding minors have gained significant momentum, with age verification being a key example.

The internet is a big part of everyday life for young people, whether they're learning, playing, creating, or simply staying in touch with friends. However, as digital spaces become increasingly central to how children grow up, it's equally important that these spaces are safe, respectful, and designed with their rights and needs in mind. That’s precisely where the Digital Services Act (DSA) comes in.

As the BIK+ strategy marks its third anniversary, two major milestones offer fresh insight into progress toward a safer and more inclusive digital world for children: the first full youth-centred evaluation of the strategy and the 2025 edition of the BIK Policy monitor. These provide evidence on what is effective, what needs improvement, and where urgent action is required to protect children's rights online in the EU.

The digital age has revolutionised the way children and young people engage with the world, offering unprecedented opportunities for learning, socialisation, and self-expression. Yet, the use of digital technologies can come with a high price to pay, with ‘the endless scroll’ and addictive algorithms on the rise.

The development of the new BIK Knowledge hub is a strategic initiative to pool all relevant information, research, and evidence, as well as policy and practice insights informing the policies and practices creating a safer and more inclusive digital space for children and young people. We celebrate its launch in October 2024 by taking you on an exclusive tour of the hub, exploring its features, resources, and how it can support policy and practice relevant to the BIK+ ecosystem. Let’s dive in and take a closer look around!