Executive Vice-president for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Virkkunen, said:
“Bullying does not stop at schools or playgrounds. Children and youth are increasingly exposed to cyberbullying that can harm their well-being at any time through smartphones and social media. We will tackle this worrying trend as part of our responsibility to make the online world a safer and empowering environment for the youngest of our societies.”
Commissioner Micallef for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport Micallef, said:
“The Internet must be a safe space, where people grow, learn and stay connected. But we must also acknowledge the risks in the online world. Cyberbullying can affect anyone, and I’m committed to tackling this issue head-on. With our Action Plan, we are acting together to make online spaces safer for all. Cyberbullying has no place in our Union.”
Around 1 in 6 adolescents report being victims of cyberbullying, while 1 in 8 admit to perpetrating it. The Commission is committed to combatting cyberbullying and building a comprehensive EU-wide strategy, as announced in President von der Leyen’s political guidelines. The upcoming plan will focus on the protection of minors, while also considering other elements of cyberbullying, such as the gender dimension and the heightened vulnerability of certain groups of youth up to 29-years-old.
The Action Plan on cyberbullying is complementary to the measures already taken by the Commission to protect and empower minors online, such as the guidelines on the protection of minors under the Digital Services Act (DSA), the enforcement actions under the DSA, as well as the blueprint for an age-verification solution.
The consultation and the call for evidence are open until 29 September 2025. A child-friendly consultation will also be launched under the EU Children’s Participation Platform in September.