On 5 March 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hosted the first meeting of the Special Panel on child safety online. Read more from BIK Youth ambassor Marta's point of view, who participated in the meeting.
| 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. |
Youth participation has always been very important to me, which is why participating in the first meeting of the Special Panel on Child Safety was such a meaningful opportunity. Being able to contribute to a discussion on the online safety and wellbeing of young people, alongside the President of the European Commission and other experts, reinforced how important it is for youth perspectives to be present in conversations that shape the digital environments we grow up in and, ultimately, our lives.
I strongly believe that young people should be involved in the decisions that influence their lives. If we want to see change, we cannot remain on the sidelines. Instead, we must participate, share our experiences, and advocate for what we believe in. When the opportunity arises to represent the perspectives of young people, it carries a strong sense of responsibility. The digital environment is a central part of young people’s lives today: it is where we communicate, learn, form communities, and express ourselves. Because of this, young people often have a very clear understanding of both the opportunities and the challenges that come with online spaces. Sharing these experiences with those who design policies and regulations helps to ensure that decisions better reflect the realities of everyday digital life, which is why opportunities like this cannot be passed up.
One of the most memorable aspects of the meeting was the opportunity to sit at the same table as the President of the European Commission and to participate in a discussion where youth voices were genuinely valued as part of the conversation. Being able to exchange perspectives with policymakers, experts, and institutional leaders highlighted the growing recognition that young people should not only be the subjects of policies concerning the digital world, but also contributors to the discussions that shape them. Moments like this demonstrate that youth participation in policymaking should not only be possible but also valued.
The meeting also gave me a deeper appreciation for the work being done by many individuals and institutions who are committed to addressing the challenges that young people face online. Throughout the discussions, it was clear that there is a shared concern for the safety and wellbeing of young people in digital environments. While participants may hold different perspectives on the specific measures the European Commission should take, there was a clear common goal: to ensure that the online environment becomes safer and more supportive for young people across Europe. At the same time, the conversations highlighted the complexity of these challenges: balancing safety, freedom, innovation, and responsibility in the digital space requires careful consideration and cooperation between policymakers, experts, platforms, and users.
For me, participating in this panel was also an important learning experience. It reminded me that youth engagement in policymaking is not only about expressing our opinions, but also about listening and learning from those who have been working on these issues for many years. Their expertise and dedication are essential in addressing the evolving challenges of the digital world. Engaging in these conversations therefore becomes a two-way process: young people contribute their perspectives and experiences, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the complexities behind policymaking.
Ultimately, this experience reinforced my belief that youth engagement is essential in shaping Europe’s digital future.
Young people should continue to take part in these discussions, share their experiences, and advocate for the kind of digital environment they want to see. When given the opportunity to represent youth voices, we also carry the responsibility of speaking thoughtfully and ensuring that the interests of those who are not present in these spaces are reflected.
By continuing to engage, learn, and contribute, young people can help shape a digital future that is safer, more inclusive, and better aligned with the realities of the generation that will live in it. It was truly a privilege and an honour to be able to take part.
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.
On 5 March 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hosted the first meeting of the Special Panel on child safety online. Read more from BIK Youth ambassor Marta's point of view, who participated in the meeting.
| 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. |
Youth participation has always been very important to me, which is why participating in the first meeting of the Special Panel on Child Safety was such a meaningful opportunity. Being able to contribute to a discussion on the online safety and wellbeing of young people, alongside the President of the European Commission and other experts, reinforced how important it is for youth perspectives to be present in conversations that shape the digital environments we grow up in and, ultimately, our lives.
I strongly believe that young people should be involved in the decisions that influence their lives. If we want to see change, we cannot remain on the sidelines. Instead, we must participate, share our experiences, and advocate for what we believe in. When the opportunity arises to represent the perspectives of young people, it carries a strong sense of responsibility. The digital environment is a central part of young people’s lives today: it is where we communicate, learn, form communities, and express ourselves. Because of this, young people often have a very clear understanding of both the opportunities and the challenges that come with online spaces. Sharing these experiences with those who design policies and regulations helps to ensure that decisions better reflect the realities of everyday digital life, which is why opportunities like this cannot be passed up.
One of the most memorable aspects of the meeting was the opportunity to sit at the same table as the President of the European Commission and to participate in a discussion where youth voices were genuinely valued as part of the conversation. Being able to exchange perspectives with policymakers, experts, and institutional leaders highlighted the growing recognition that young people should not only be the subjects of policies concerning the digital world, but also contributors to the discussions that shape them. Moments like this demonstrate that youth participation in policymaking should not only be possible but also valued.
The meeting also gave me a deeper appreciation for the work being done by many individuals and institutions who are committed to addressing the challenges that young people face online. Throughout the discussions, it was clear that there is a shared concern for the safety and wellbeing of young people in digital environments. While participants may hold different perspectives on the specific measures the European Commission should take, there was a clear common goal: to ensure that the online environment becomes safer and more supportive for young people across Europe. At the same time, the conversations highlighted the complexity of these challenges: balancing safety, freedom, innovation, and responsibility in the digital space requires careful consideration and cooperation between policymakers, experts, platforms, and users.
For me, participating in this panel was also an important learning experience. It reminded me that youth engagement in policymaking is not only about expressing our opinions, but also about listening and learning from those who have been working on these issues for many years. Their expertise and dedication are essential in addressing the evolving challenges of the digital world. Engaging in these conversations therefore becomes a two-way process: young people contribute their perspectives and experiences, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the complexities behind policymaking.
Ultimately, this experience reinforced my belief that youth engagement is essential in shaping Europe’s digital future.
Young people should continue to take part in these discussions, share their experiences, and advocate for the kind of digital environment they want to see. When given the opportunity to represent youth voices, we also carry the responsibility of speaking thoughtfully and ensuring that the interests of those who are not present in these spaces are reflected.
By continuing to engage, learn, and contribute, young people can help shape a digital future that is safer, more inclusive, and better aligned with the realities of the generation that will live in it. It was truly a privilege and an honour to be able to take part.
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.
- cyberbullying youth empowerment youth ambassador youth participation policy
Related content
- < Previous article
- Next article >
Related articles
