Social media innovation and policy

Access to information and social interaction has never been so easy. EU citizens can read news, apply for jobs, shop, interact, acquire new skills and build relationships around the world all at the click of a button or the tap of a screen. 

A competitive and inclusive environment for social media and networks needs to be able to innovate and meet new demands. It also needs to address challenges around social media, notably: 

• fake news and online disinformation
• the spread of illegal content
• the emergence of closed platforms and monopolies of service providers

Striking the balance between innovation and regulation is key for the future of social media and networks. Building on the strong links between policy and innovation, the Commission aims to:

• stimulate a multi-stakeholder dialogue through appropriate self-regulatory actions;
• promote a responsible use of social media platforms through a sustained support of media literacy initiatives;
• promote the constitution of a social media ecosystem community gathering developers, designers, users, artists, entrepreneurs and researchers;
• encourage new social media initiatives to pave the way to the next generation of social media platforms for Europe, and to a future global social sphere;
• organise dedicated events to stimulate the discussion with users, innovators and public authorities.