Better Internet for Kids

The European Pillar of Social Rights sets out 20 key principles and rights essential for fair and well- functioning labour markets and social protection systems. The dedicated Action Plan turns the principles into concrete actions to benefit citizens. This includes supporting children in terms of affordable early childhood education and good quality child-care, protection from poverty, equal opportunities, and access to digital communications and other essential services.

(Source: EC Compendium of BIK-related legislation).

Two particular areas are relevant to children in the digital environment: Its main principle is that consumers should enjoy the same level of protection online and offline. Fighting risky commercial practices is very important, in particular for children. Online traps include practices which are not transparent, for example influencers not indicating when they are paid to promote a specific product (hidden advertising); and in online games, promotion of a virtual currency without indicating the value in real money. Children should be able to recognise on-line traps as early as possible.

The purpose of trafficking in human beings is the exploitation of the person, including sexual exploitation, forced labour, begging, slavery or organ removal. The victim, or trafficked person, is forced or tricked to work against their will. Recruiting, transporting, transferring, housing or receiving people who are trafficked are all crimes. When children are trafficked, the punishment is more severe.

The vision of BIK+ strategy is for age-appropriate digital services, with every child in Europe protected, empowered and respected online, and no one left behind.

BIK+, a flagship initiative of the European Year of Youth 2022, proposes actions around three pillars:

Persons with disabilities in Europe should enjoy fully their fundamental rights, have equal opportunities, and not face discrimination. Children with disabilities have the same rights as able- bodied children, e.g. the right to education, early childhood education and care, but often this does not happen in practice. Persons with disabilities are also targeted by hate speech and bullying, including in education institutions. New indicators will also cover children with disabilities.

(Source: EC Compendium of BIK-related legislation).

The Austrian Youth Strategy is an ongoing process to strengthen and develop youth policy in Austria. In September 2020, the Austrian Federal Government decided on the joint continuation of the Youth Strategy. Based on the fields of action in the Youth Strategy, each federal ministry has developed Youth Goals backed by specific measures.

Four competent authorities have been designated to enforce the Digital Services Act (DSA) in Belgium: BIPT (federal/national coordinator, Act of 21 April 2024), Vlaamse Regulator voor de Media (VRM, Flemish Community), Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel (CSA, French Community), and Medienrat (German-speaking Community). BIPT is the national coordinator. Each authority is responsible for DSA supervision and enforcement within its jurisdiction, including certifying trusted flaggers, investigating violations, imposing sanctions, and cooperating with the EU Commission and other DSCs.

The Flemish Media Decree is the foundational legal framework for audiovisual media in Flanders. It designates the Vlaamse Regulator voor de Media (VRM) as the independent supervisory authority for audiovisual media, including the enforcement of the DSA and AVMSD. The decree covers protection of minors, advertising, commercial communication, accessibility, and platform regulation. VRM monitors compliance, imposes sanctions, and participates in national and European regulatory cooperation.

(Source: VRM)

The Decree on Audiovisual Media Services and Video-Sharing Platforms (French Community) regulates audiovisual media services and video-sharing platforms in the French Community of Belgium. The Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel (CSA) is designated as the regulatory authority for enforcement, implementing AVMSD and DSA provisions. The decree covers protection of minors, age verification, parental controls, advertising standards, platform accountability, and sanctions for non-compliance.

The Decree on Media Services and Cinema Screenings (German-speaking Community) is a regional statutory code establishing the Medienrat as the independent regulatory authority for media services and cinema in the German-speaking Community of Belgium. The decree covers the regulation and supervision of audiovisual and audio media services, protection of minors, commercial communication, platform regulation, DSA and AVMSD enforcement, and cooperation with national and EU authorities. Medienrat is responsible for DSA supervision, dispute resolution, and annual reporting.