On Safer Internet Day 2026, the European Commission presented an action plan against cyberbullying to protect young people online. It is based on three pillars to protecting the mental health of children and young people online. Under this plan, the European Commission is committed to making more targeted use of existing programs and instruments to combat cyberbullying and invites all member states of the European Union to develop national action plans to support the cause jointly and equally, as well as to improve the data and knowledge base on the phenomenon.
In addition, efforts to raise awareness and prevent cyberbullying and its negative impact on those affected are to be strengthened. The aim is to promote healthy, responsible, and respectful digital practices from the outset. To this end, additional resources are to be made available to promote information and awareness-raising activities by Safer Internet Centers and within the scope of the Better Internet for Kids platform. In this context, the European Commission is encouraging the member states of the European Union to also step up their measures to prevent cyberbullying. They could do this by developing guidelines and training opportunities for educators and carers and by strengthening measures to involve children and young people in the development of such measures.
Furthermore, reporting cyberbullying incidents should be made easier and access to help and support improved. To this end, the European Commission will develop an app that will enable victims to easily report harassment and also secure and transmit evidence. Member states will be able to adapt this app to their national needs and support its dissemination. Existing help and support systems will be taken into account and made more accessible to children and young people through the app.
The rationale behind the action plan is that cyberbullying has been the most frequently addressed concern of young people regarding the services offered by Safer Internet Centers over the past five years. A survey of more than 6,000 children and adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 also found that one in four children had already been affected by cyberbullying. According to the survey, one in three children has witnessed cyberbullying online.
According to the European Commission cyberbullying refers to behaviour carried out through digital technologies, with the primary intention or effect of repeatedly or continuously humiliating, socially excluding, abusing, harassing or harming in particular children or young people.