Protecting and Empowering Minors in a Digital World

NEW EU STUDY

The report Protecting and Empowering Minors in a Digital World was developed by the European Commission's Special Panel on Child Safety Online, established by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and co-chaired by Prof. Dr. Jörg M. Fegert and Prof. Maria Melchior, Research Director at the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM). The report represents the work of this expert panel and was commissioned in response to growing concerns about the impact of digital technologies on children and young people.

As online platforms become an increasingly important part of children's lives, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners have sought evidence-based solutions to address challenges such as cyberbullying, harmful content, privacy violations, online exploitation, addictive platform design, and excessive screen time, while ensuring that young people can benefit from the opportunities offered by the digital world.

Co-authored by Prof. Dr Fegert and Prof. Melchior, the report presents recommendations to create safer online environments and support children's healthy, informed, and empowered participation in the digital age. It forms part of the European Commission's wider efforts to strengthen online safety for children and to inform future policy and legislative developments across the European Union.