MEPs to discuss protection of children and adolescents online

In a hearing on Tuesday, MEPs and guest speakers will analyse key challenges and EU policy solutions to better protect minors in digital environments.

When: Tuesday, 4 November 2025, 14.30 - 16.30 CET

Where: European Parliament, Brussels – Antall building, room 4Q1

Follow the livestream here.

Jointly organised by the Committees on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and Petitions (PETI), the public hearing follows several citizens’ petitions submitted to PETI and builds on IMCO’s report and Commission’s guidelines on safe digital spaces for minors.

The session will open with an overview of the current EU regulatory framework, followed by a discussion between MEPs, Commission and civil society representatives on the risks minors face online, including social media overuse, exposure to harmful content and addictive design, and cyberbullying. In the next panel, speakers will assess the effectiveness of the existing rules, focusing on the responsibilities and accountability of online platforms and other stakeholders. MEPs will also explore possible future legislative initiatives that can strengthen the protection of children and adolescents online.

The meeting will feature remarks by PETI Chair Bogdan Rzońca, IMCO Chair Anna Cavazzini and EP Coordinator on Children’s Rights Ewa Kopacz.

The following experts will participate:

Julia Van Best, Deputy Head of Unit - DSA protection of minors and other societal risks, DG CONNECT

Priscille Kulczyk, legal expert and associate researcher - European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ)

Urs Buscke, senior legal officer - The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC)

Marina Fernández, President, and Noemí Puigdellivol, member of the legal committee - association “Adolescència Lliure de mòbils”

Bolesław Michalski, expert in children’s digital education and founder of Opsec4Kids

Maria-Myrto Kanellopoulou, Head of Unit - Consumer Law and Denisa Alexandoraiei, DG JUST