FEBRUARY 2026 – THE CHILDREN’S VERSION
WHAT IS CYBERBULLYING?
GOALS OF THE PLAN
- To make safer technology and have better cooperation across Europe to prevent cyberbullying.
- Help children, teenagers and adults learn how to stay safe and be respectful online.
- Ensure victims of cyberbullying can quickly report abuse, get support, and feel safe asking for help.
PROTECTION AND SAFETY
What the EU will do
- Make safety rules stronger so online platforms must better protect children.
- Improve systems and rules for reporting cyberbullying and harmful content.
- Update rules for video-sharing platforms and streaming services.
- Put protections in place to make sure AI systems cannot manipulate or harm children.
- Make rules so that AI-created content (like deepfakes) is clearly labelled.
What EU countries should do
- Create national anti-bullying and cyberbullying plans.
- Collect data about cyberbullying that can be used by everyone in the EU.
- Work together to create common ways of combatting cyberbullying.
PREVENTION AND AWARENESS
What the EU will do
- Update guidelines for teachers and schools on digital literacy, fake news, and cyberbullying.
- Provide more support and training for schools and informal education like youth centres, sports clubs, and community groups through the EU’s online youth platforms.
- Organise and support awareness campaigns and activities in sports and youth programmes.
What EU countries should do
- Train teachers, carers, police, health workers, and other professionals to recognise and prevent cyberbullying.
- Involve children and young people in creating policies and solutions.
- Help schools, clubs and local groups to fund activities that help children stay safe online.
REPORTING AND SUPPORT
What the EU will do
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Help to create an online safety app, which allows children and teenagers to:
- report cyberbullying easily
- get support through helplines, police, or child protection services.
- Connect the app with existing national helplines and reporting systems.
- Improve online and offline support for all cyberbullying victims.
What EU countries should do
- Make sure victims receive proper support offline too, such as from psychologists, social workers and at school.
- Adapt the EU reporting app for national languages and systems.
- Promote the app widely so children and families know how to use it.
To talk to someone about how you are feeling, please speak to a trusted adult, call a helpline for children in your country, or contact a Safer Internet Centre to report any online issue or talk to an expert.
