Better Internet for Kids

The latest amendments to the Ombudsman Act from 2018 vested in the institution the power to receive and deal with complaints and reports of violations of citizens’ rights and freedoms, not only on the part of state and municipal authorities and their administrations, or by persons entrusted with the rendering of public services, but also by private entities. In exercising this power, the Ombudsman can also make proposals and recommendations for the promotion and protection of the endangered citizens’ rights and freedoms from private entities.

The Ombudsman for Children is an independent body that monitors the coordination of the laws and other regulations in the Republic of Croatia, concerned with the protection of the rights and interests of children, with the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia, of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and other international documents concerned with the protection of the rights and interests of children.

The Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Act 2022 amends the Broadcasting Act 2009 to provide for the establishment of Coimisiún na Meán amongst other things. The Act empowers the Online Safety Commissioner, as part of the wider Coimisiún na Meán, to hold designated online services to account through binding online safety codes. 
(Source: Coimisiún na Meán).

Entities responsible for implementation: Government of Ireland.

 

On 21 October 2024, Coimisiún na Meán published and adopted its first Online Safety Code, following extensive public and stakeholder consultation, as well as engagement with its recently established Youth Advisory Committee. The code applies binding obligations to designated video-sharing platform services and gives practical effect to the requirements as set out in Article 28b of Directive 2018/1808/EU (revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive).

The Operational guidelines for the use of SPID services by minors have been developed by the Agency for Digital Italy (AgID), Italy's  technical agency to ensure delivery of the objectives of the Italian Digital Agenda. The document  establishes operational guidelines under which minors, especially those aged 5 to 14, may access digital public services using Italy's SPID (Public Digital Identity System). The guidelines define the technical and procedural responsibilities of identity providers and schools.

(Source: Italy - Policy monitor country profile, 2025).

Under this Ordinance, the Swedish Agency for the Media is tasked by the government to work for freedom of expression, media and information literacy and the possibilities for media diversity and accessibility within its area of ​​operation. The authority must also work to strengthen children and young people as conscious media users, make use of their experiences and work to protect children from harmful media influence. The Swedish Agency for the Media is also tasked to follow and analyse the development of children’s and young people’s media usage.
(Source: Sveriges Riksdag).

Organic Law 3/2020, which amends Organic Law 2/2006 on Education, represents a significant update to Spain’s education system, emphasising the development of digital skills as essential and transversal for all students. The law mandates the integration of digital competence into all educational stages, aiming to foster critical digital capabilities and active participation in society. It introduces a renewed curriculum structure, with digital skills and programming knowledge incorporated as compulsory content.

Organic Law 8/2021 on the comprehensive protection of children and adolescents against violence provides comprehensive protection for children and adolescents against all forms of violence, including digital and online violence. It mandates prevention, early detection, reporting, protection, and support measures across education, health, social services, and digital environments, and requires protocols for cyberbullying, sexual abuse, and harmful content.

(Source: Spain - Policy monitor country profile, 2025)

Organic Law 3/2018, of December 5, on the Protection of Personal Data and the Guarantee of Digital Rights (LOPDGDD) is a key piece of Spanish legislation that adapts the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to Spanish law, while also adding provisions regarding digital rights. The law came into effect on December 6, 2018, and it repeals the previous Organic Law 15/1999. Among its provisions, the law safeguards minors' data privacy, contributing to a secure online environment.

This Action Plan is Ireland’s second national-level blueprint to embed the voices of children and young people in decision-making processes—extending beyond the first National Strategy (2015–2020). Its goal is to embed youth participation in policy, education, health, legal systems, and community life by establishing structured mechanisms (like Hub na nÓg, Comhairle na nÓg) and engaging children up to age 24 in meaningful consultation and influence.