The internet brings many opportunities for young people: to learn, connect with friends and family or just have fun. But not everyone can fully enjoy this due to cyberbullying.
The European Commission is stepping up efforts to fight cyberbullying with a new Action Plan - published today – on the 26th Safer Internet Day!
In a recent online survey, children from across the EU voiced their concerns about cyberbullying and said that they want more action from adults, which includes parents, schools and platforms.
In the survey:
- 24% of the children said they had been cyberbullied
- 39% had seen someone else being cyberbullied, and
- 50% personally knew someone who had been cyberbullied
Children and young people have spoken, the European Commission has listened, and now all the adults need to work together against cyberbullying to make the internet a safer place for everyone!
"Combating cyberbullying means saving lives, because cyberbullying harms, hurts, and sometimes takes the people we love. It is a pandemic we must address. With the EU Action Plan against cyberbullying, Europe teams up to create a safer online space where children, young people - every generation can learn, grow, and stay connected." Glenn Micallef, Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport
Into action against cyberbullying!
The Action Plan against Cyberbullying includes:
- A coordinated EU approach to protection: further enforce existing laws, like the Digital Services and Artificial Intelligence Acts, and expand the focus on cyberbullying and encourage EU countries to put national cyberbullying policies in place
- Prevention and awareness: provide EU-level tools, created with input from children, parents, educators, mental health experts, member states, and organisations, to promote healthy digital habits and raise awareness about cyberbullying
- Reporting and support: to ensure that everyone (victims, bystanders, parents and carers) has clear, trusted, and accessible ways to report abuse and get help; and to support the set up of an online safety app across all EU countries to make reporting and followup easier
Download the Action Plan (in English)