EU Commission encourages responsible internet use on Safer Internet Day

Brussels, 11 February 2025

Today, the EU Commission encourages the responsible use of internet on Safer Internet Day, an annual worldwide event to promote child safety online.Children and young people are using the internet in ever-increasing numbers. In 2023 in the EU, 97% of young people said they used the internet daily, compared to 86% of the general EU population.

The safety and security of all children online is paramount for the European Commission. Therefore, the Commission has already initiated measures under the Digital Services Act, which include launching investigations related to the protection of minors against online platforms among other things. The Commission is also currently formulating guidelines for all online platforms to ensure a high level of privacy, safety, and security for young users.

The Commission will also deliver a European approach to privacy-friendly age verification this year, in preparation for the EU Digital Wallet’s availability by the end of 2026. And, throughout January and February the Commission is running the AdWise Online campaign to help empower young people gaming online to know their rights and spot in-game manipulative practices. To better protect consumers from being exploited, misled, or tricked by unfair online practices the Commission is also working on the upcoming Digital Fairness Act.

Throughout its work, the Commission is consulting young people, as demonstrated in the first evaluation of the Better Internet for Kids Strategy. Furthermore, next month, Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen will meet young people in Helsinki to discuss the role of social media platforms in democracy. On 10 March, Commissioner Michael McGrath will meet young people in the framework of his first Youth Dialogue to discuss their democratic empowerment, including through the use of online tools.