Better Internet for Kids

Here, we take an in-depth look at the latest monitoring information for Portugal.   

According to the Digital Decade 2025: Country reports, Portugal has exceptional connectivity and a strong public sector framework, though it faces ongoing challenges in scaling business innovation and narrowing human capital gaps. The nation is a European leader in digital infrastructure, with Very High-Capacity Network (VHCN) coverage reaching 95% and Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) at 93%, both significantly outperforming EU averages. 74.3% of SMEs have achieved a basic level of digital intensity. However, the adoption of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, remains below EU levels, and a relatively low R&D intensity of 1.7% of GDP hinders the broader innovation potential. On the human capital side, 55.6% of the population possesses basic digital skills – matching the EU average – but significant disparities exist by age and education: while 94% of youth are digitally proficient, only 22% of older adults meet the same criteria. According to the State of the Digital Decade Eurobarometer 2025, public sentiment is very positive, with 81% of citizens reporting that digitalisation simplifies daily life. Nevertheless, there is a near-universal demand (96%) for public authorities to prioritise child safety, combat cyberbullying, and mitigate online disinformation.

Read the full Policy monitor country profile for detailed information on key national policy frameworks in Portugal.

Read the full 2026 edition of the Policy monitor report.[BON1] 

BIK policies

This concerns how national-level policies relevant to the BIK agenda are organised, managed, and supported by evidence and stakeholder input.

Policy frameworks

Policy frameworks describe the overarching goals that shape policies for a better internet for kids. 

In Portugal:   

• This topic is being comprehensively addressed with children’s protection, empowerment and participation in the digital environment incorporated into national/regional laws, regulations and policies. 
• The topic of children and the digital environment is covered by broader policies rather than in separate dedicated policies.

• The BIK+ strategy is an important influence on policy development on children and the digital environment.

• National/regional policies and policy documents explicitly recognise children's rights in the digital environment. 

Policy design

Policy design asks whether evidence and research support BIK-related policies and whether systems are in place for monitoring and evaluating those policies.

In Portugal:   

• Surveys of children’s digital activities are undertaken, but only irregularly (for instance, the EU Kids Online survey data from 2020 and the European children’s use and understanding of Generative AI from 2026 are the only available source on a national level). 
• Surveys of children’s experiences of risks, harms and digital well-being are undertaken on an ad-hoc and irregular basis. 
• Information is regularly gathered to inform policies on children and the digital environment. However, this relies primarily on third-party sources, and there are limited opportunities to commission new data on children's digital activity. 
• There are occasional special initiatives to gather evidence about children and the digital environment 
• Policies are regularly monitored and evaluated, but not always systematically.

Policy governance

Policy governance examines how policies are coordinated at the governmental level, whether other implementation bodies are involved in their delivery and coordination.

In Portugal:   

• One central body (e.g., the central ministry office, public agency, or regulatory authority) is officially mandated to lead and develop policies, guidelines, and programmes relating to children and the digital environment, consulting with other departments as needed. 
• A clearly defined, formal coordination mechanism exists (e.g., task force, steering committee) with a clear mandate. It systematically engages all relevant stakeholders and ensures coherent, cross-cutting policy development and implementation related to children and the digital environment. 
• There is a defined national action plan on children and the digital environment with accountabilities such as defined timelines, assigned responsibilities or key performance indicators (KPIs). 

Stakeholder involvement

Stakeholder involvement enquires how different stakeholders can participate in policy development.

In Portugal:   

• A formal, designated multi-stakeholder forum is in place that consistently engages all relevant stakeholder groups (e.g., government, civil society, private sector, academia, children, and caregivers) and plays a meaningful role in policy discussion and development. 
• Public consultation occurs, but it is irregular, infrequent, or limited in scope.
• Children are listened to directly in the policy development process but are not formally involved in decision-making.

Read the full Policy monitor country profile for detailed information on key national policy frameworks in Portugal.

Read the full 2026 edition of the Policy monitor report.[BON2] 

BIK+ actions

Pillar 1 – safe digital experiences

Safe digital experiences refer to actions taken to protect children from harmful and illegal online content, conduct, contact, and risks as young consumers and to improve their well-being online through a safe, age-appropriate digital environment created in a way that respects children’s best interests.

Table 1: Safe digital experiences – Portugal

Pillar 2 – Digital empowerment

Digital empowerment involves actions that ensure all children, including those in vulnerable situations, acquire the necessary skills and competences to make sound choices and to express themselves safely and responsibly in the online environment.

Table 2: Digital empowerment – Portugal

Pillar 3 – Active participation, respecting children’s rights

This includes actions that promote young people's active participation and respect for their rights through such activities as fostering innovative and creative safe digital experiences for young people and ensuring they have a say in policies governing the digital environment.

Table 3: Active participation, respecting rights - Portugal

Read the full Policy monitor country profile for detailed information on key national policy frameworks in Portugal.

Read the full 2026 edition of the Policy monitor report.[BON3] 

BIK+ index 2026: Portugal  

The BIK+ index has been developed to provide an aggregated at-a-glance overview of the levels of implementation across the two dimensions, BIK policies and BIK+ actions, in Portugal compared to the EU27+2 average. Values are shown in per cent.

Figure 1: BIK+ index 2026: Portugal - EU27+2 average comparison

Please note, the data used in this page and the corresponding country profile was collected in January 2026.