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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2026/2693(RSP))

On the need for targeted criminal provisions and platforms’ responsibility to effectively address cyberbullying and online harassment

B-10-2026-0207

on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group · Rapporteur: Nicolae Ștefănuță, Saskia Bricmont, Alexandra Geese, Hannah Neumann

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This resolution addresses cyberbullying and online harassment, calling for targeted criminal provisions and platform responsibility. It welcomes the Commission's action plan against cyberbullying, stresses the need for effective enforcement of existing laws, and calls for measures on age verification, education, and support for victims.

Key points

  1. Recalls the action plan against cyberbullying and welcomes stricter enforcement of existing legislation, as well as preventive measures like expanding resources and training for schools.
  2. Calls on Member States to establish comprehensive national plans against bullying, including cyberbullying.
  3. Notes the online safety app announced in the action plan for reporting cyberbullying.
  4. Calls on the Commission to ensure thorough testing of software like the EU age verification app, and is not convinced that age verification or social media bans are a holistic solution.
  5. Calls on the Commission to wait for the final report of its special panel on child safety online before further steps on age verification.
  6. Calls on Member States to integrate responsible online behaviour and anti-bullying education into school curricula, and on platforms to implement safety-by-design measures.
  7. Points out the lack of a common definition of cyberbullying and notes that the action plan does not provide for EU criminal law measures.
  8. Takes note of national legislation in several Member States, including Ireland's 'Coco's Law', France's revenge porn provisions, Austria's continuous harassment offence, Romania's cyber violence concept, and Slovakia's dangerous electronic harassment.
  9. Invites Member States to share best practices and calls for increased investigative capacities, including assessing the need for a new EU crime under Article 83(1) TFEU.
  10. Urges Member States to reach consensus on adding 'hate crime' to EU crimes, considering that cyberbullying could be covered under such a provision.
  11. Calls on the Commission to close ongoing DSA enforcement cases and investigate recommender systems' impact, rejecting any attempts to reopen the DSA.
  12. Calls for increased EU funding for civil society, integration of cyberbullying prevention into mental health strategies, and development of reporting mechanisms, including a potential EU-wide interface.

Who is affected

  • Online platforms, including Very Large Online Platforms, are called on to implement safety-by-design measures and face potential investigations.
  • Member States are urged to adopt national plans, integrate education, and consider new criminal provisions.
  • Victims of cyberbullying and harassment, particularly minors and vulnerable groups, are to benefit from support services and reporting mechanisms.
  • Civil society organisations, including helplines and victim support services, are to receive increased EU funding.

Figures and deadlines

  • 18.3 % of children worldwide have experienced cyberbullying.
  • Around 1 in 6 children aged 11-15 in Europe report being victims of cyberbullying.
  • Between 2018 and 2022, the number of adolescents being cyberbullied rose by a quarter for boys and almost a quarter for girls.

Legal basis: Article 83(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union