Today, another edition of the bi-annual Insafe Training meeting kicks off. The event is an opportunity for the Insafe network of European Safer Internet Centres (SICs) to meet to facilitate the sharing of experiences and good practices across the Insafe network. The October 2025 Insafe Training meeting is held online, and includes three mornings of sessions discussing the guidelines on the protection of minors online under the DSA, the Action plan against cyberbullying, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and, in particular, AI companions by children and young people.
Day one: the guidelines on the protection of minors under the DSA
This edition of the Insafe Training meeting includes a series of online sessions spanning over three mornings, from 14 to 16 October 2025. Today, the training meeting officially starts at 10:00 CEST with a welcome address from Better Internet for Kids and the European Commission.
Shortly after, the opening keynote address will focus on the DSA Article 28 guidelines. On 14 July 2025, the European Commission published its guidelines on the protection of minors under the DSA to ensure a safe online experience for children and young people. This session will share an overview of the guidelines and provide an opportunity for discussion with perspectives from the European Commission, Digital Services Coordinators (DSCs), and SICs.
The following session will provide an overview of the EU approach to age verification and an opportunity for discussion on the blueprint for an age verification solution that the European Commission has made available. It allows users to prove they are over 18 without sharing any other personal information. Apart from being privacy-preserving, it is user friendly and fully interoperable with future EU Digital Identity Wallets.
The morning will also include a customary resource competition to showcase the diverse range of educational resources and videos created by the network; each finalist will deliver a short pitch to encourage others to vote for their resource.
Day two: the Action plan against cyberbullying
The second day will be entirely dedicated to the Action plan against cyberbullying and SICs will be invited to share their views in a structured discussion.
Day three: AI developments and AI companions
The third and final day is dedicated to the use of AI. The first session will explore AI as both a risk and an opportunity for young people, with a focus on how we can collectively respond to these challenges. Parents, educators, policymakers, industry, and young people themselves all have a role to play in ensuring AI is used safely, positively, and effectively.
In addition, AI companions are increasingly being used by young people to help with schoolwork, to ask for advice and support, and to provide friendship. A session will look at the research that Common Sense Media has done looking at these tools, how they are used and the risks and challenges that children and young people can face.
The last session will provide an overview of OpenAI’s technology, the current state of the art in AI, and the latest model releases — followed by a presentation of OpenAI's new youth protection features, safety-by-design approach, and a look ahead at what’s next for protecting young users in the AI era.
If you wish to learn more about the work of the European network of Safer Internet Centres and other stakeholders in the field, visit the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) portal and subscribe to the quarterly BIK bulletin for news and resources on the latest trends and challenges online.
Today, another edition of the bi-annual Insafe Training meeting kicks off. The event is an opportunity for the Insafe network of European Safer Internet Centres (SICs) to meet to facilitate the sharing of experiences and good practices across the Insafe network. The October 2025 Insafe Training meeting is held online, and includes three mornings of sessions discussing the guidelines on the protection of minors online under the DSA, the Action plan against cyberbullying, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and, in particular, AI companions by children and young people.
Day one: the guidelines on the protection of minors under the DSA
This edition of the Insafe Training meeting includes a series of online sessions spanning over three mornings, from 14 to 16 October 2025. Today, the training meeting officially starts at 10:00 CEST with a welcome address from Better Internet for Kids and the European Commission.
Shortly after, the opening keynote address will focus on the DSA Article 28 guidelines. On 14 July 2025, the European Commission published its guidelines on the protection of minors under the DSA to ensure a safe online experience for children and young people. This session will share an overview of the guidelines and provide an opportunity for discussion with perspectives from the European Commission, Digital Services Coordinators (DSCs), and SICs.
The following session will provide an overview of the EU approach to age verification and an opportunity for discussion on the blueprint for an age verification solution that the European Commission has made available. It allows users to prove they are over 18 without sharing any other personal information. Apart from being privacy-preserving, it is user friendly and fully interoperable with future EU Digital Identity Wallets.
The morning will also include a customary resource competition to showcase the diverse range of educational resources and videos created by the network; each finalist will deliver a short pitch to encourage others to vote for their resource.
Day two: the Action plan against cyberbullying
The second day will be entirely dedicated to the Action plan against cyberbullying and SICs will be invited to share their views in a structured discussion.
Day three: AI developments and AI companions
The third and final day is dedicated to the use of AI. The first session will explore AI as both a risk and an opportunity for young people, with a focus on how we can collectively respond to these challenges. Parents, educators, policymakers, industry, and young people themselves all have a role to play in ensuring AI is used safely, positively, and effectively.
In addition, AI companions are increasingly being used by young people to help with schoolwork, to ask for advice and support, and to provide friendship. A session will look at the research that Common Sense Media has done looking at these tools, how they are used and the risks and challenges that children and young people can face.
The last session will provide an overview of OpenAI’s technology, the current state of the art in AI, and the latest model releases — followed by a presentation of OpenAI's new youth protection features, safety-by-design approach, and a look ahead at what’s next for protecting young users in the AI era.
If you wish to learn more about the work of the European network of Safer Internet Centres and other stakeholders in the field, visit the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) portal and subscribe to the quarterly BIK bulletin for news and resources on the latest trends and challenges online.
- cyberbullying artificial intelligence (AI)
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