The European Commission has launched a comprehensive action plan to combat cyberbullying, with a central focus on a new EU-wide mobile application designed to help young victims report online abuse and receive support. This initiative aims to create safer online environments for children and adolescents across the bloc.
The cornerstone of the EU’s new action plan is the development of an EU-wide app. This application will empower children and teenagers to easily report incidents of online bullying to national helplines, securely store evidence of harassment, and receive tailored support. The European Commission will provide a blueprint for this app, which member states can then adapt and integrate with their national services. This initiative is partly modeled on successful existing apps, such as France’s “3018” app.
Beyond the app, the action plan calls for improved coordination among EU member states. It urges countries to develop national strategies and adopt a common definition of cyberbullying to facilitate better data collection and comparison. A significant emphasis is also placed on prevention, encouraging safer and more responsible digital practices from a young age. This includes exploring ways to enhance training for teachers and improve resources for schools.
The EU plans to build upon existing legislative frameworks, including the Digital Services Act (DSA), the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD), and the Artificial Intelligence Act. Planned steps involve reviewing DSA guidelines on the protection of minors, adopting guidelines for “trusted flaggers” to combat illegal content, and strengthening transparency rules for AI-generated content that could be misused for online harassment. The Commission is also scrutinizing “addictive design features” in apps, as seen in recent findings regarding TikTok.
Statistics highlight the urgency of the issue, with approximately one in six children aged 11 to 15 reporting being victims of cyberbullying. The action plan aims to protect young people’s mental health online by improving reporting mechanisms, coordinating national responses, and strengthening prevention efforts. The Commission is working with member states, industry, civil society, and children themselves to implement this plan and ensure children’s rights and well-being online.