Against a backdrop of rapid digital change, BIK activities throughout the year focused on tackling persistent harms such as cyberbullying, strengthening protections under the Digital Services Act (DSA), and ensuring that children’s voices continue to shape Europe’s digital future.

Putting cyberbullying in the spotlight

Cyberbullying emerged as a defining theme of the year. Remaining the most reported issue to Safer Internet Centre helplines, it featured prominently across research, policy dialogue and youth engagement activities in 2025. Preparatory work towards an EU action plan against cyberbullying ran throughout the year, supported by public consultations, multistakeholder focus groups and a dedicated youth policy dialogue hosted by the European Commission.

Young people played a central role in shaping this work. Through structured dialogue and consultation activities, BIK Youth Ambassadors and national youth representatives highlighted the real-life impact of cyberbullying on mental health, the barriers to effective reporting, and the need for clearer definitions, stronger age assurance and child-friendly tools. Their perspectives directly informed policy discussions and underlined the importance of involving children and young people not just as beneficiaries, but as contributors to solutions.

Safer Internet Day and global engagement

The 22nd edition of Safer Internet Day (SID) was celebrated in February 2025 under the slogan ‘Together for a better internet’. For the first time, activities spanned the whole month, culminating in a global day of focus on 11 February. A refreshed visual identity and the launch of a new youth-designed mascot, Ally, gave fresh energy to the campaign, which reached more than 160 countries and territories worldwide.

Safer Internet Day 2025 also marked the full roll-out of the AdWiseOnline campaign across Europe, further spotlighting the importance of protecting children and young people from manipulative digital marketing practices, specifically in the gaming environment. 

Across Europe and beyond, Safer Internet Centres and other organisations coordinated thousands of activities in schools and communities, while EU institutions marked the day with high-level communications and awareness-raising actions linked to the implementation of the Digital Services Act. A dedicated youth dialogue on cyberbullying, bringing together children, young people and national authorities, reinforced the message that safer digital spaces require cooperation across generations and sectors.

Strengthening policy and practice under the DSA

Implementation of the Digital Services Act continued to shape BIK activities throughout the year. In July 2025, the European Commission published guidelines on the protection of minors under the DSA, alongside the first version of a European age-verification blueprint. European Safer Internet Centres played a key role in supporting awareness, consultation and testing of these measures at national level, acting as trusted intermediaries between policymakers, platforms, families and young people.

The autumn DSA for YOUth campaign translated complex legal provisions into accessible, family-friendly resources, co-created with BIK Youth Ambassadors and made available in all EU languages. Through toolkits, webinars, quizzes and youth-led content, the campaign empowered children, parents and educators to better understand platform obligations and the rights of young users online.

Reviewing progress under the BIK+ strategy

May 2025 saw the publication of the first comprehensive evaluation of the European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+). Drawing on input from more than 750 children and young people and over 360 adult stakeholders, the evaluation confirmed that progress has been made across safety, empowerment and participation, while also identifying clear priorities for future action.

Young participants called for clearer reporting tools, stronger privacy protections, and more meaningful opportunities to shape digital environments. Educators and parents highlighted the need for greater support and training, particularly in relation to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. The evaluation’s recommendations now provide a strong evidence base to guide policy and practice in the years ahead.

Empowering educators – massive open online courses 

Capacity building remained a core pillar of BIK’s work in 2025. Two BIK MOOCs, delivered through the European Schoolnet Academy, supported thousands of teachers worldwide: one focused on the knowledge educators need on child online safety, while the other explored healthy online relationships. Together, they addressed key topics including online safety, persuasive design, mental health, and the promotion of respectful and positive digital interactions. High engagement and completion rates reflected educators’ appetite for practical, high-quality professional development in this rapidly evolving field.

Amplifying youth voices – Safer Internet Forum 

Youth leadership was also front and centre at the Safer Internet Forum 2025, a fully youth-led international event exploring why age matters in the digital world. With young people moderating sessions, shaping the agenda and sharing lived experience alongside policymakers and industry, the Forum reinforced BIK’s commitment to participation as a cornerstone of better digital governance.

Looking ahead

Launched on Safer Internet Day 2026, this annual review reflects a year of sustained collaboration, innovation and listening. In 2026, work under Better Internet for Kids will continue to support the rollout of the EU action plan against cyberbullying, further development of age-verification solutions, and new research into the impact of digital technologies on children’s well-being.

Discover more by browsing through the full report below: 

Alternatively, download a PDF version of the 2025 review of the year. 

Additionally, you can browse BIK annual reports from previous years.