Feedback on the Guidelines on the protection of minors online under the Digital Services Act
In , we applaud the European Commission’s commitment to protecting children’s privacy, safety and security online and to embedding children’s rights into the digital environment as set out in the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child’s General comment No. 25 and in Europe’s regulations and policies on mainstreaming children’s rights, including in the digital environment. We welcome the acknowledgement of the 4Cs (content, contact, conduct, contract), which was informed by our systematically collected pan-European research. While the guidelines offer many promising and child-friendly provisions, ways they can be strengthened.
EU Kids Online warns against social media bans for children
EU Kids Online has issued a statement cautioning against outright bans on children's access to social media, arguing that such measures undermine their rights rather than ensuring their safety. The research network emphasises that bans could push children toward unregulated digital spaces and calls for evidence-based, rights-respecting policies instead. EU Kids Online urges governments and platforms to prioritize safety-by-design approaches, digital literacy education, and stronger regulatory frameworks to create a safer, more inclusive online environment for children. Find out more
Impact of digital technology on wellbeing - the latest EU Kids Online report
EU Kids Online launched its latest report from the Interdisciplinary Research Team on Internet and Society (Masaryk University, Brno) which reveals that the effects of digital technologies on adolescent wellbeing are highly context-dependent. Based on 15 studies over six years in the Czech Republic, the findings show that outcomes vary by individual traits, specific online activities, and different aspects of wellbeing—debunking one-size-fits-all narratives about technology’s impact. Read the report and the press release
EU Kids Online conducts a new research wave, expanding focus on artificial intelligence (AI)
EU Kids Online is conducting its fifth wave of research, continuing its mission to provide high-quality, comparative evidence on children’s online experiences across 33 countries. This latest phase includes a new representative survey and the RIGHTS.AI study, conducted in collaboration with the Digital Futures for Children centre, to explore how children engage with generative AI, ensuring that emerging digital challenges are addressed in research, policy, and practice.
Response to European Commission’s Call for Evidence on Protecting Minors Online under the Digital Services Act (DSA)
EU Kids Oniline submitted a . You can find and received by the EC. A key recommendation is that the DSA guidelines align with the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child’s General comment No. 25, which sets the gold standard for children’s rights in the digital environment.
For recent updates, see the latest EU Kids Online reports.