Action Plan against cyberbullying: protecting children and young people online
Cyberbullying has become one of the most serious online safety challenges facing young people in Europe. In response, the European Commission adopted the Action Plan Against Cyberbullying on 10 February 2026, reinforcing its commitment to protecting children and young people in the digital environment.
Across the EU, around one in six adolescents report having experienced cyberbullying, while one in eight admit to having participated in it. Over the past five years, cyberbullying has also been the leading reason for calls to the helplines run by Safer Internet Centres. These figures underline the need for coordinated and decisive action at European level.
A strategic EU response
On 10 February 2026, the European Commission adopted the Action Plan Against Cyberbullying. Announced in the Political Guidelines 2024–2029 of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the initiative complements existing EU legislation and strengthens the overall framework for protecting minors online.
The Action Plan was developed following extensive consultations with children, parents, educators, researchers and civil society organisations, ensuring that the voices of young people helped shape the measures.
The strategy is built around three main pillars:
- A coordinated EU approach, encouraging Member States to develop national strategies based on a shared understanding of cyberbullying and reinforcing enforcement of existing rules.
- Prevention and awareness, promoting healthy digital habits from an early age and providing practical tools for families and schools.
- Reporting and support, including the rollout of an EU-wide online safety app enabling children to report abuse, store evidence securely and receive tailored assistance.
Building on existing legislation
The Action Plan complements a strong EU legal and policy framework already in place to protect children and young people online. Key instruments include:
- The Digital Services Act, which requires platforms accessible to minors to uphold high standards of safety, privacy and security.
- The Audiovisual Media Services Directive, which safeguards children on video-sharing platforms and is currently under review.
- The AI Act, which prohibits harmful AI systems and establishes rules for labelling deepfakes.
- The Better Internet for Kids (BIK+) strategy, supported by a network of Safer Internet Centres providing multilingual resources and on-the-ground assistance.
In addition, the Commission is piloting a privacy-preserving age verification solution and preparing an EU-wide inquiry into the impact of social media on mental health and wellbeing.
Together, these measures represent a comprehensive effort to ensure that children and young people can fully benefit from digital opportunities in a safe, respectful and supportive online environment. Protecting minors online remains a shared responsibility between EU institutions, Member States, platforms, families and society as a whole.
