BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As young people spend more of their lives online, the risks they face have become harder to ignore. From harassment in group chats to manipulated images shared without consent, cyberbullying is no longer a side issue of digital life but a central one. In response, the European Commission introduced a sweeping Action Plan Against Cyberbullying, aimed at protecting the mental health and safety of children and teenagers across the European Union. The strategy combines technology, regulation, education, and coordination among member states to build a more consistent and effective response. At its core, the plan rests on three pillars: creating an EU-wide reporting app, coordinating national approaches, and strengthening prevention through better digital practices. An EU-wide app to report and receive support One of the most tangible elements of the plan is the development of a user-friendly app designed to help victims report cyberbullying quickly and safely. The app will connect directly to national helplines and support services, giving children and teenagers a clearer pathway to help. Beyond reporting, the app is intended to allow young people to securely store and transmit evidence, a crucial step in addressing online abuse, which often disappears as quickly as it appears. The Commission will create a blueprint for the app, which member states can adapt, translate, and integrate into their national systems. The aim is simple but powerful: no child should struggle to figure out where to turn. A coordinated approach across the EU While digital platforms operate across borders, protections for minors often vary from country to country. The Commission wants to close that gap by encouraging member states to develop comprehensive national plans built on a shared understanding of cyberbullying. Standardized data collection will allow countries to compare trends and measure progress more effectively. The Action Plan also strengthens existing regulatory frameworks. Among the key steps: Reviewing the Digital Services Act guidelines on protecting minors to reinforce platform obligations to prevent harmful content and improve reporting mechanisms. Adopting clearer guidelines on “trusted flaggers” under the Digital Services Act, particularly for illegal cyberbullying content. Addressing cyberbullying within video-sharing platforms as part of the ongoing evaluation of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive. Supporting the enforcement of the Artificial Intelligence Act, especially provisions prohibiting manipulative AI practices used for bullying. Advancing transparency rules, including labelling AI-generated content that could be misused to harass or deceive. Together, these measures signal a shift toward stronger accountability for digital platforms. Prevention begins with digital literacy While enforcement matters, prevention remains a central focus. The Action Plan encourages healthier and more respectful digital habits from an early age. The upcoming review of the Commission’s guidelines for educators will place cyberbullying prevention at the forefront of digital literacy efforts, aligning with the broader Union of Skills initiative. At the same time, the Commission plans to expand training and resources for schools through the network of Safer Internet Centres and the multilingual Better Internet for Kids platform. Safer Internet Day, which was first launched in the EU in 2004 and now observed in approximately 160 countries, will continue to serve as a global platform promoting children’s rights and well-being both online and offline. Why the urgency? The numbers paint a clear picture. An estimated one in six children aged 11 to 15 report being victims of cyberbullying, and about one in eight admit to bullying others online. Meanwhile, a recent Eurobarometer survey found that more than ninety percent of Europeans believe urgent public action is needed to protect children from the negative mental health impacts of social media, cyberbullying, and age-inappropriate content. The Action Plan reflects direct input from young people themselves. It was shaped by consultation with more than six thousand children, alongside a broader public consultation. Building on existing protections The plan does not start from scratch. It builds on established legislation: The Digital Services Act requires platforms to maintain high standards of safety and privacy for minors, including tools that allow children to block or mute users and prevent being added to groups without consent. The Audiovisual Media Services Directive mandates measures to shield minors from harmful content, including cyberbullying. The Artificial Intelligence Act prohibits manipulative AI systems and requires labelling of deepfakes to prevent deception. By increasing visibility and outreach for tools already available, such as the Safer Internet Centres, which served around 48 million European citizens in 2025, the Commission hopes to ensure that protections translate into practical support. What comes next? Implementation will involve cooperation among member states, industry leaders, civil society, international organizations, and children themselves. Additional initiatives are also underway, including piloting a privacy-preserving EU age verification solution, advancing the forthcoming Digital Fairness Act, assembling an expert panel on child online protection, and conducting an inquiry into the mental health impacts of social media. The Commission’s message is clear: protecting children online requires not only rules, but responsiveness in systems that evolve as quickly as the digital spaces young people inhabit. If successful, the Action Plan could mark a significant step toward making the internet safer not just in principle, but in practice.     Did this solution stand out? Share it with a friend or support our mission by becoming an Emissary.The post EU launches action plan to tackle cyberbullying and protect children’s mental health online first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.