Eurochild's reaction to the report of the Special Panel on child safety online
The panel’s response to the call to rethink the business model of social media to address risks for children.
Eurochild welcomes the publication of the report by the Co-Chairs of the Special Panel on Child Safety Online. The report is the result of a broad consultation process involving researchers, practitioners, children and youth representatives, civil society organisations, public authorities and industry. The report acknowledges that its analysis was informed by civil society and other specialists, while clarifying that the final recommendations remain the responsibility of the Co-Chairs.
Alongside our participation in the Panel, Eurochild has brought its position into the wider public and institutional debate, including through media engagement. We are pleased to see that many of the concerns raised by Eurochild, our members and children themselves have found a clear place in the final report.
The report adopts a notably comprehensive approach. It addresses platform responsibility, harmful business models and design features, safety by design and by default, privacy-preserving age assurance, children’s participation, access to platform data, research, education, support for parents and investment in offline alternatives. It reflects the central message of Eurochild’s position: age restrictions alone will not protect children if the digital environment itself remains unsafe.
