EU Parliament Pushes for Stronger Action for Online Safety for Kids

The European Parliament is getting serious about online safety for kids. On Monday, the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committee held a fiery hearing on how to better protect minors in the digital world as part of an Initiative Report that is being drawn up. From social media addiction to data exploitation, experts and lawmakers are sounding the alarm on the risks kids face when they go online.

Opening the discussion, Anna Cavazzini, a German MEP from the Greens, stressed that the rules we have right now just aren’t cutting it anymore. She therefore called for a fresh look at how to make sure minors are properly shielded from the dangers lurking in the digital world. “It’s time to hear from the experts and take action” she stated, welcoming the input from specialists across Europe.

European Commission’s Maria Myrto Kanellopoulos made it clear that protecting minors online is a top priority. Kanellopoulos, representing the Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice (DG JUST), shared some alarming findings from the Digital Fairness Fitness Check, as a study revealed that harmful practices—like addictive design and exploitative personalization—are escalating, with young users bearing the brunt of it. In response, the Commission is preparing the Digital Fairness Act, a new set of rules aimed at addressing these issues without duplicating existing protections. New measures around influencer transparency, virtual goods, and even a plan to tackle cyberbullying are to be expected.

The hearing also brought in Sonia Livingstone from the London School of Economics, who spoke passionately about how kids often stumble into online dangers without even realizing it. “The most vulnerable children suffer the most” she warned, calling for protections that are sensitive to kids’ ages and needs. Livingstone additionally urged lawmakers not to go overboard with blanket bans, which could do more harm than good.

When it comes to privacy, the European Data Protection Supervisor was quick to remind everyone about the €405 million fine Instagram received for mishandling children’s data. They confirmed that tougher rules are coming to ensure that minors’ personal data is treated with the utmost care.

Leanda Barrington-Leach of 5Rights didn’t hold back, criticizing tech companies for using addictive design strategies that exploit children’s need for validation. “Platforms must be held accountable” she stated, calling for stronger technical standards to protect young users from manipulative tactics. Meanwhile, Maryant Fernandez Perez from BEUC (the European Consumer Organisation) pointed out that kids are spending more time online than they intend to, often because platforms like Meta and Google are deliberately targeting them with ads and content. “The DSA is a good start, but it’s not enough”, she affirmed, calling for faster enforcement.

MEPs from all parties voiced their concerns. Christel Schaldemose (S&D, Denmark) warned that tech platforms risk turning minors into lifelong addicts if they don’t get their act together. Dora David (EPP, Hungary) and Gheorghe Piperea (ECR, Romania) criticized platforms for exploiting kids’ psychological need for validation, pushing for stricter content filters and better age verification.

Addictive designs were also under attack. Stephanie Yon-Courtin (FR, Renew) and Laura Ballarin (ES, S&D) argued that digital laws must reflect kids’ mental health needs. Meanwhile, Pablo Arias Echeverria (EPP, Spain) and Veronika Ostrihonova (Renew, Czech Republic) raised the issue of enforcement, pointing out a lack of consistency in applying rules across the EU.

Before concluding the meeting, Prabhat Agrawal from the European Commission’s DG CNET shared news about ongoing enforcement actions. Legal proceedings against social media giants like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are already underway, and new guidelines are coming soon to clarify privacy rules for minors. While age restrictions have improved since the Digital Services Act (DSA) was introduced, Agrawal admitted that there’s still a long way to go, as he also teased a new privacy-focused EU age verification app and a study on how social media impacts kids’ mental health.

Representatives from the tech industry also weighed in acknowledging the risks minors face but arguing that platforms are taking steps to improve; reminding that effective enforcement and better digital literacy are essential to keeping kids safe online.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it’s clear that lawmakers and experts aren’t backing down. With new rules on the horizon, it’s only a matter of time before we see a digital world that’s safer for kids, without stifling their ability to explore and connect.