European strategy for a better internet for kids - BIK+

A growing number of children are accessing the internet at ever younger ages and across a wide range of devices. They spend increasing amounts of time online—on social media, in online games, and across mobile apps—often without adult supervision.

While the Internet offers many opportunities for learning, communication, creativity, and entertainment, it also opens certain risks to vulnerable users such as child. Minors can be exposed to harmful content and behaviour online, such as cyberbullying, sexual harassment, pornography, violence, or self-harm. Efficient responses are needed to prevent negative consequences for their cognitive, social and emotional development. New technologies such as artificial intelligence, increased connectivity, and augmented and virtual reality will cause an important shift in the way children engage and interact in society.

What is the BIK+ Strategy?

The European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+), adopted on 11 May 2022, ensures that children are protected, respected and empowered online, in line with the European Digital Principles. A child-friendly version of the BIK+ Strategy is also available. The strategy builds on the first European Strategy for a Better Internet for Children (BIK).

BIK+ reflects the contributions of a wide range of views, primarily those of children, who are regularly involved in its implementation and monitoring. Our vision is to provide age-appropriate digital services where every child in Europe is protected, empowered, and respected online, ensuring that no one is left behind.

BIK+, a flagship initiative of the European Year of Youth 2022, proposes actions around 3 pillars:

1. Safe digital experiences - protecting children from harmful and illegal online content, conduct, and risks. The aim is to improve  young consumers' wellbeing online through a safe, age-appropriate digital environment, created in a way that respects children’s best interests.
2. digital empowerment - enabling all children (including those in situations of vulnerability) to acquire the necessary skills and competences to make sound choices and express themselves safely and responsibly online.
3. active participation - respecting children by giving them a say in the digital environment, with more child-led activities to foster innovative and creative safe digital experiences.

Under BIK+, the Better Internet for Kids portal provides thousands of resources and best practices in all European languages. The portal complements the work of the EU co-funded network of Safer Internet Centres, which reaches out to children, parents and teachers in member states and beyond.

While cooperation and support from industry and member states are key to making these plans a reality, youth participation remains a priority. BIK+ supports children’s active participation by organising a child-led evaluation of the BIK+ strategy every two years, increasing peer-to-peer activities at national, regional and local level and industry to consult their young users.

The strategy will continue to inform and monitor policy development across EU member states. The Commission will continue to share experiences, expertise and values with international organisations and partners, and to support a common approach towards digital rights for children in Europe and worldwide.

The Commission has put in place a comprehensive legal and policy framework to protect and empower children online. At its core are the Digital Services Act (DSA) (with its enforcement and the protection of minors guidelines), the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD). Because technologically and in EU legislation have changed since 2012, a compendium of relevant legislation is available.

The Commission has also released an age verification blueprint in July 2025 and is piloting the solution with member states, platforms and users.

The Commission co-funds Safer Internet Centres in member states (coordinated by Insafe) and the Better Internet for Kids portal which is single entry point for resources and sharing best practices across Europe. Their main task is to raise awareness and foster digital literacy among minors, parents and teachers. They also fight against online child sexual abuse material through its network of hotlines (INHOPE). 

Awareness-raising is an essential element of online safety: every year, Safer Internet Day, is celebrated in around 170 countries, reaching millions of people worldwide through events and various activities.

To complement all these initiatives, in February 2026, the Commission has adopted an action plan against cyberbullying, responding to a growing number of cases and the demands for action from citizens and young people.

In addition, as announced in the 2025 State of the Union, President von der Leyen is seeking expert advice on possible age restrictions for social media in Europe, in light of the online risks. The Commission will also launch an EU-wide inquiry to start an evidence-based debate on the impact of social media and excessive screentime on wellbeing and mental health of young people.