Full Breakdown
Council of Europe Advocates for Balanced Approach to Children's Online Safety
4/20/2026, 1:19:13 PM
Core Recommendations on Online Safety for Children
On April 8, 2026, the Council of Europe (CoE) adopted recommendations aimed at enhancing online safety for children while safeguarding their rights to freedom of expression. These recommendations come amid growing concerns over age-related restrictions on social media, which some EU member states, such as Greece, are set to implement. The CoE cautions that blanket bans may inadvertently push children towards less secure online environments, echoing experiences from countries like the United Kingdom and Australia.
Criticism of Blanket Bans
The CoE's recommendations emphasize that measures targeting children's online safety should not compromise their rights. Critics, including Save the Children, argue that excessive restrictions can hinder children's access to valuable information and support, particularly for marginalized youth lacking offline safety nets. Daniel Friedlaender from CCIA Europe highlighted the potential for unintended consequences stemming from hasty policy decisions regarding age-based social media bans.
Empowerment Over Restriction
The CoE advocates for a balanced approach that empowers children rather than restricting their access to online platforms. Articles within the recommendations stress the importance of proactive measures, such as educational initiatives and community empowerment, to address the root causes of online abuse. The recommendations assert that content deemed lawful offline should also be lawful online, and that internet intermediaries should not be unduly pressured to act as censors.
Age Verification and User Empowerment
While the CoE does not dismiss the idea of implementing age-verification systems, it specifies that such measures should be limited to protecting children from content that is already illegal offline. Articles 75 and 76 call for platforms to develop tools that mitigate risks to children while respecting their rights to privacy and freedom of expression. The recommendations urge that these systems should not disproportionately exclude children from online spaces or hinder their participation in public discourse.
Official Statements & Responses
The CoE's recommendations reflect a commitment to ensuring that online safety measures are evidence-based and do not infringe upon fundamental rights. They emphasize that any actions taken should prioritize the best interests of children, taking into account their evolving capacities and vulnerabilities. The CoE's stance is clear: while protecting children online is essential, it should not come at the cost of their rights to express themselves freely.
What's Next
As EU member states consider the CoE's recommendations, the focus will likely shift towards developing comprehensive strategies that combine online and offline safety measures. Policymakers are encouraged to foster digital citizenship and media literacy, ensuring that children are equipped to navigate the online world safely and responsibly. The ongoing discourse surrounding children's online safety will continue to evolve as stakeholders assess the effectiveness of current and proposed measures.
