Joining forces to protect children online in Europe
In this blog, two Eurochild members, the Estonian Union for Child Welfare and The Smile of the Child, share insights into the situation of children in the digital environment in their countries and introduce a new joint project ‘Evidence to Protect’.
Children across Europe grow up online. They learn, socialise, play and express themselves in digital environments that are constantly evolving. But alongside these opportunities come real risks from cyberbullying and harmful content to online grooming and exploitation. In this context, Eurochild’s members such as Estonian Union for Child Welfare (EUCW) and The Smile of the Child work to ensure children are protected and supported.
Get to know Estonian Union for Child Welfare
The Estonian Union for Child Welfare (EUCW) is a non-profit umbrella organisation founded in 1988, working to promote children’s rights and wellbeing in Estonia. It brings together child welfare organisations across the country and advocates for a child-friendly society where children’s voices are heard and their rights respected. EUCW contributes to legislative and policy development at national and international level, combining children’s rights expertise with structured child participation.
EUCW coordinates and implements projects aimed at strengthening child protection, participation and wellbeing. Among its long-standing initiatives is the Estonian Safer Internet Centre project Targalt internetis, co-funded by the European Commission. Through this framework, EUCW promotes digital literacy, responsible online behaviour and awareness of online risks, and ensures the operation of the national hotline Vihjeliin for reporting illegal online content involving children.
Get to know The Smile of The Child
The Smile of the Child was founded in 1995 by 10-year-old Andreas Giannopoulos, shortly before he passed away. It is a certified provider of primary, secondary and tertiary social care services, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, free of charge, throughout Greece. The organisation employs specialised professionals and is supported by thousands of volunteers, delivering comprehensive services through 10 specialised Action Centers focused on prevention and effective response to issues affecting children and families.
The Center for Internet Safety of the Organisation aims to prevent and address the risks arising from the use of the internet by minors. Through Cybertipline Hellas, an online service operated by The Smile of the Child, reports can be submitted about children at risk and online dangers as part of the long-standing collaboration with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). At the same time, it is a member of the "We Protect Global Alliance to end child sexual exploitation online".
Online Safety Context: Estonia
Estonia is one of Europe’s most digitally advanced societies. Children grow up using e-school systems, social media, gaming platforms and AI-based applications. Internet access starts early and is deeply integrated into everyday life, bringing both opportunities and risks. Estonian children report experiences of cyberbullying, contact with strangers and exposure to harmful or age-inappropriate content. The rapid development of algorithm-driven platforms and generative AI tools has added new concerns, including misinformation, unrealistic social comparison and data privacy challenges. One of the key challenges in Estonia is the gap between technical skills and digital resilience. While children are confident users of digital tools, this does not always mean they feel equipped to cope with harmful experiences or seek help. Strengthening critical thinking, emotional coping skills and trusted reporting pathways remains essential.
Online Safety Context: Greece
In Greece, multiple institutions and civil society actors record online incidents, but there is no unified national registry for online harms. Reported cases include cyberbullying, exposure to violent or offensive content, misuse of AI to create harmful material, grooming and online sexual exploitation. The exposure of children’s personal data and photographs online by adult caregivers remains widespread, increasing children’s vulnerability to digital threats. Children with disabilities are particularly at risk, often targeted due to communication challenges or difficulties recognising dangerous situations. The National Strategy for the Protection of Minors from Internet Addiction, coordinated by the Ministry of Digital Governance and the Ministry of Education, emphasises strengthening children’s digital skills through education. In 2025, the Center for Internet Safety of The Smile of the Child supported 7,942 children through prevention and educational activities. Nearly one child per day seeks help from the Organisation in response to online dangers.
Working together to use evidence to protect children
Estonia and Greece are two EU Member States facing common online risks for children: online sexual abuse and grooming, harmful content, cyberbullyingand emerging AI-related challenges. At the same time, they differ significantly in cultural context, educational systems, levels of digital development and political positioning in European debates on online regulation.
Building on our differences, we joined forces with Eurochild, to analyse and understand how similar risks manifest differently and how solutions must be adapted, while remaining anchored in shared European values and children’s rights. By sharing frontline evidence, comparing regulatory approaches and amplifying the voices of children and practitioners, all Member States can move beyond fragmented responses toward coherent, rights-based action.
