EU Launches Cyberbullying Action Plan Centered on Reporting App
New Measures to Protect Children Online
The European Commission unveiled an EU-wide Action Plan Against Cyberbullying on Tuesday, introducing a new mobile application to help children and teens report online abuse and access support more easily.
The initiative aims to safeguard young people’s mental health by improving reporting tools, coordinating national responses across the EU, and promoting prevention through digital literacy and safer online habits.
Mobile App as Key Tool
A central element of the plan is an accessible EU-wide app. The app will allow victims to report harassment to national helplines, securely store evidence, and receive personalized support. The European Commission will provide a common blueprint for the app, which member states can adapt, translate, and integrate with their national services.
Henna Virkkunen, EU executive vice-president for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, said: “We want to boost healthy and responsible digital practices from an early age to help prevent cyberbullying.” She warned that many young people are often left feeling isolated or upset due to online abuse.
Coordinated EU Approach
The plan encourages member states to adopt comprehensive national strategies and a common definition of cyberbullying, allowing better data collection and comparison across countries.
The EU Commission will build on existing legislation, including the Digital Services Act (DSA), the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD), and the Artificial Intelligence Act. Planned measures include reviewing DSA guidelines for protecting minors, introducing “trusted flagger” rules to remove illegal content, and increasing transparency around AI-generated material that could be misused for harassment.
Focus on Prevention
Prevention forms a key part of the strategy, emphasizing the promotion of responsible digital behavior from an early age. The EU Commission reports that about one in six children aged 11 to 15 in the EU have experienced cyberbullying. A recent Eurobarometer survey showed over 90% of Europeans believe urgent public action is needed to protect children online.
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