EuroWire, BRUSSELS: The European Commission has launched an EU action plan to protect children and teenagers from cyberbullying and online harassment, tying the rollout to Safer Internet Day on February 10. The Commission cited survey data showing that about one in six children aged 11 to 15 say they have experienced cyberbullying, while about one in eight say they have taken part in bullying others online. The initiative frames cyberbullying as a cross border online safety risk for minors.
The plan is built around three pillars: reporting and support, coordination across EU countries, and prevention through safer digital practices. A central element is an EU-wide online safety app concept that is intended to make it easier for young people to seek help quickly. The Commission said it will develop a blueprint that member states can adapt, translate and link to their own national services and existing child support systems.
Under the reporting and support pillar, the planned app is designed to let children and teens report incidents to a national helpline, receive support and safely store evidence of bullying. The Commission described the tool as a way to provide a clear reporting path for victims and those who witness abuse online, including parents and carers who may need guidance. The blueprint approach is intended to allow national authorities to integrate helplines and other services already operating locally.
The Commission also called on EU countries to improve coordination by developing national plans and using a common understanding of cyberbullying to collect and compare data across the bloc. The Commission said it will work with member states, industry, civil society, international organisations and children to put the plan into action. The stated goal is to make online spaces safer and to strengthen protections for children’s rights and wellbeing in digital environments.
Reporting and support measures
Prevention is the third pillar, with an emphasis on encouraging safer and more responsible digital habits from an early age and improving school resources. The Commission said it will explore how existing EU tools and rules can be used to better train teachers and support schools with materials that address online risks. The Commission’s digital policy page also points to the role of EU co-funded Safer Internet Centres, noting that cyberbullying has been the main topic of calls to their helplines over the past five years, accounting for 14% of all calls.
The action plan is also positioned alongside enforcement of existing EU rules for online platforms. The Commission highlighted the Digital Services Act, which requires platforms accessible to minors to maintain high privacy, safety and security standards. The Commission has published guidelines on protecting minors and has opened investigations into platforms it says may be failing to meet their obligations. Measures referenced under the framework include giving children tools to block and mute users and protections around group features.
Rules and existing safeguards
Beyond the Digital Services Act, the Commission pointed to other EU rules that intersect with child online safety. The Audiovisual Media Services Directive applies to broadcasters and video sharing platforms and includes protections for children, and the Commission said the directive will be reviewed to consider updates for enhanced online child protection. The Commission also referenced the EU AI Act, including provisions that prohibit systems designed to manipulate or deceive people in harmful ways and rules around labelling deepfakes to reduce deception risks online.
The Commission also linked the action plan to broader online safety work, including an age verification blueprint released in July 2025 that it said is being piloted with member states, platforms and users. The Commission said the approach is intended to prevent minors from accessing age restricted content and products online while preserving privacy and anonymity. The Commission described the cyberbullying plan as a complement to existing EU initiatives aimed at giving children, parents, carers and educators clearer tools to report abuse and obtain support.