(Il testo seguente è tratto integralmente dalla nota stampa inviata all’Agenzia Opinione) –
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Parliament wants stronger action against cyberbullying in the EU
One in six adolescents reports being a victim of cyberbullying, one in eight admits to perpetrating it
Current EU and national measures are insufficient to combat the phenomenon
Assess the introduction of cyberbullying as a crime at EU level
MEPs call for rigorous enforcement of EU rules, a common definition of cyberbullying and greater platform responsibility to strengthen victim protection.
In a non-binding resolution adopted Thursday by show of hands, the European Parliament underlines the severity of the phenomenon and calls for effective and dissuasive sanctions, measures to facilitate reporting for victims and closure of legal gaps at EU level.
Criminal law measures
MEPs express concern about the increase in cyberbullying and online abuse based on images or videos, believing that existing measures may not be sufficient. They invite the Commission to assess the need to introduce a harmonized definition at EU level and to recognize cyberbullying as a cross-border crime. An alternative could be the inclusion of hate crimes among EU crimes, they say, so as to cover the most serious cases.
Parliament also laments the absence of a legal framework to identify online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and invites the Commission to act swiftly so that digital platforms adopt voluntary reporting mechanisms, reiterating their obligation to ensure a safe digital space for minors.
Platform responsibility and DSA enforcement
MEPs emphasize the responsibility of online platforms in preventing and combating cyberbullying, warning against business models that incentivize the spread of hate content, particularly to the detriment of minors, women and LGBTIQ+ communities. They also criticize hyper-personalized recommendation systems that promote hate and penalize less divisive content.
Parliament calls for more rigorous enforcement of Article 28 of the Digital Services Regulation (DSA) relating to the protection of minors, urging the conclusion of ongoing proceedings and opposing any attempt to reopen the legislative text. MEPs also express concern about the growing use of AI for abusive purposes (such as deepfakes or non-consensual intimate content) and call on digital service providers to comply with the labeling obligations provided for in the AI Act. They finally reiterate the need to ban the so-called “nudifier apps”, a measure currently being negotiated with EU governments.
Support for victims
The text emphasizes the need to strengthen protection and support for victims of cyberbullying, increasing funding for competent organizations and integrating the phenomenon into national mental health strategies. EU countries should prioritize prevention, education and awareness-raising aimed at minors, parents and educators, and ensure rapid implementation of the Victims’ Rights Directive.
Context
Cyberbullying represents a growing threat to the online safety and well-being of minors and young people, with serious and lasting effects on victims. In response to this situation and calls for intervention (92% of EU citizens call for action by the authorities), in February 2026 the Commission presented an action plan against cyberbullism.
Although some Member States (such as Ireland with “Coco’s law”) have introduced specific rules, legal fragmentation persists in the EU.
