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Cyberbullying is no longer a marginal phenomenon. Digital bullying on social media platforms is part of everyday life for many children and young people. According to studies, one in six children aged between 11 and 15 has been a victim of cyberbullying at some point. One in eight children admits to having bullied someone online themselves: insults, public humiliation, rumours, or manipulated images spread via social networks, messaging services, and video platforms that are almost impossible to take back. With an action plan, the European Commission aims to better protect children and youth in the future.
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying includes insults and public humiliation, as well as the spread of rumours or manipulated images. Users perpetrate this type of digital violence via social media, messaging services and video platforms. Those who are subjected to exclusion and humiliation as young people often carry the emotional scars into adulthood. Long-term consequences can include anxiety disorders, depression, social withdrawal and reduced self-esteem.
EU aims to protect children and young people from digital violence – “Cyberbullying is not a private matter”
To better protect children and young people from digital violence, the European Commission has now presented an action plan to combat cyberbullying.
“Cyberbullying is not an individual problem that lies in the hands of individual families, but a challenge for society as a whole,” says Social Democrat MEP Hannes Heide.
The political right, in particular, sees measures to protect against cyberbullying as an attack on freedom of expression. A clear legal definition, national strategies and greater awareness of cyberbullying are intended to clearly distinguish digital violence from freedom of expression.
New app offers straightforward help in cases of cyberbullying
A key element of the EU action plan is the development of an EU-wide app. This will enable victims to receive help easily and report cases of cyberbullying to a national helpline. It will also allow them to secure and forward evidence.
Although the EU Digital Services Act already obliges social media platforms to protect young people and children online, an update to the law is now set to place greater responsibility on the platforms. The platforms are to develop easily accessible reporting functions and effective protection against harmful content.
Furthermore, an EU-wide solution for age verification is an important next step, which has already been announced alongside the call for a social media ban for under-16s.
Goal: Teaching more digital skills in schools
Prevention and the teaching of digital literacy are, alongside regulation, the second pillar of the action plan against cyberbullying.
“Children must learn to behave respectfully and responsibly in the digital space,” says Hannes Heide (SPÖ).
To this end, the EU intends to expand the support available to schools. Through the network of Safer Internet Centres and the “Better Internet for Kids” platform, schools, parents and professionals will have access to training, information materials and advice. Last year alone, around 48 million European citizens used the Safer Internet Centres.
EU aims to involve young people in the political process
One of the first initiatives, the Action Plan against Cyberbullying, will introduce a ‚Youth Check‘ in 2024. Going forward, the Commission also intends to subject its key policy proposals to a so-called ‘Youth Check’ to assess their impact on young people. Youth organisations, national youth councils, and researchers are therefore involved in these tests.
The initiative was launched in response to the pandemic and aims to incorporate the youth perspective permanently into European policy.
These EU laws are being updated to provide better protection against cyberbullying
- DSA (Digital Services Act): The Digital Services Act requires large online platforms, such as social media and streaming services, to ensure their services are safe for children and young people. The regulation is currently being revised to make it easier to report violations. In addition, so-called whistleblowers are to be better protected to strengthen their role in combating illegal content.
- AVMS Directive: This directive regulates platforms such as YouTube. Like the DSA, it is currently under review.
- AI Act: The world’s first cross-border law regulating artificial intelligence came into force in 2024. It prohibits manipulative AI systems that could harm or deceive people, particularly children. EU proceedings against Elon Musk currently enforce transparency and labelling requirements for AI-generated content, such as deepfakes – which can be used for bullying. The AI chatbot Grok, used by Musk on X (formerly Twitter), is said by the EU to violate the European AI Act. Moreover, Grok has the ability to produce sexualised images, frequently without the consent of the individuals impacted, and fails to identify them as AI-generated.
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