Joint declaration

EU states for more protection of children and young people online

The EU member states want to strengthen the protection of children and young people online. They are committed to "strict and effective enforcement of the new rules for the protection of children to ensure a safe, healthy and age-appropriate online experience".

This is the result of a joint declaration adopted by the EU telecommunications ministers on Friday in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. State Secretary for Youth Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) is taking part on behalf of Austria.

She welcomes the declaration in a press release. "However, I am also committed to the fact that not only strict rules are needed to protect children, but it is also the task of parents and educators to talk to children about what happens in the digital space," said Plakolm.

According to the declaration, online platforms should also be instructed, for example, to reduce addictive designs or implement efficient parental and age controls.