Child safety online is no longer just a digital policy issue — it’s a public health priority.
The 16th of June marked the final meeting of the EU Special Panel on Child Safety Online, bringing together young people, educators, parents, legal experts, technologists, healthcare professionals, and child rights advocates to shape the next phase of Europe’s online safety framework.
The timing is critical.
New Eurobarometer data shows:
• Young people spend an average of 4.5 hours online during school days and 6.1 hours on weekends
• 14% of adolescents spend more than 10 hours a day on screens
• Nearly 1 in 3 reports feeling stressed, sad, or socially excluded because of social media
• 25% have encountered harmful content such as hate speech, body shaming, or violent material
These numbers reinforce what many families, educators, and policymakers have been observing: the connection between excessive screen time, social media exposure, and youth wellbeing is real.
As President Ursula von der Leyen noted, connection and inspiration should not come at the cost of mental health and safety.
On 13 July, the Panel’s recommendations will be presented — a significant next step in strengthening the EU’s already ambitious protections under the Digital Services Act, the Better Internet for Kids Strategy, and new age-verification tools.
Protecting children online requires shared responsibility across policy, platforms, schools, and homes.
The question now is not whether action is needed, but how quickly we can act.
source: https://ec.europa.eu/com.../presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_1361