Resolution on the new European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+)

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the new European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+).

As a reminder, the new European strategy for a “Better Internet for Kids”, adopted in May 2022, has three pillars:

- safe digital experiences that seek to protect children from harmful and illegal online content; - empowerment or digital literacy, so that children can make informed choices;

- promoting active participation — giving children a say in the digital environment.

Firstly, Parliament welcomed and endorsed the Commission’s new European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+) and reiterated its call for the EU to step up its action to keep children safe online and raise awareness on and prevent child sexual abuse, including online solicitation of children (online grooming).

The resolution called for the EU and the Member States to allocate more investment to education and training to ensure digital literacy, including protection from peer-to-peer bullying and cyberbullying in and outside schools, for children of different age groups, while taking into account new technological developments, such as the metaverse.

Moreover, Member States should allocate all the necessary resources to strengthen the capacities of hotlines, helplines and Safer Internet Centres, and to develop and implement meaningful prevention and awareness-raising campaigns in their schools.

Parliament took note of the creation of a European standard on online age verification by 2024 and the recent setting up of the special group on the EU Code of Conduct on age-appropriate design. It emphasised the importance of developing the Code in a timely manner, by ensuring its full alignment with the Audiovisual Media Services Directive and the General Data Protection Regulation.

Parliament called on the Commission to:

- develop, in coordination with the European Education Area, a European strategy against bullying and cyberbullying in schools, establishing a package of measures to improve data collection, and to propose the necessary solutions in cooperation with the Member States;

- ensure that the BIK+ Strategy is consistent with other priorities and legislative proposals, that information is presented to children in child friendly language, that children of all ages are involved in the monitoring process and the effective implementation of the strategy and that there is adequate follow-up to compare best practices and results across the Member States.

Lastly, the Commission and the Member States are called on to:

- scale up investments in the provision of support to victims of online child abuse or solicitation, including anonymous public reporting, and mental health and psychosocial services for victims and their families;

- provide training to professionals and officials, including in law enforcement authorities, who deal with cases involving children, depending on their specific needs.