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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-10-2026-0213

on behalf of the S&D Group · Rapporteur: Katarina Barley

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

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Parliament's resolution on cyberbullying welcomes the Commission's action plan and calls for targeted criminal provisions, platform accountability, and better enforcement of existing EU laws. It urges the Commission to consider a legislative initiative for harmonised criminal law, supports adding hate crime and hate speech to EU crimes, and calls for rigorous enforcement of the Digital Services Act. It also calls for investment in digital education, support for victims, and measures against AI-enabled abuse.

Key points

  1. Welcomes the Commission's action plan against cyberbullying and calls for platforms to be held accountable to prevent and counter cyberbullying.
  2. Calls for substantial investment in age-appropriate digital education, media literacy programmes and teacher training for children in all socio-economic contexts.
  3. Welcomes the Commission's guidelines under the DSA on protecting minors online and calls for guidelines for trusted flaggers on cyberbullying.
  4. Welcomes the proposed definition of cyberbullying in the action plan and reiterates the call for national anti-bullying plans.
  5. Welcomes the online safety app for reporting cyberbullying and the promotion of coherent reporting and support services.
  6. Notes that the action plan lacks EU-level criminal law measures and takes note of various national laws, including Ireland's 'Coco's Law' and others.
  7. Invites Member States to share best practices and calls for increased investigative capacities of law enforcement, including cross-border.
  8. Asks the Commission to consider a legislative initiative for harmonised approach and reiterates support for adding hate crime and hate speech to EU crimes under Article 83(1) TFEU.
  9. Calls for rigorous enforcement of Article 28 of the DSA and notice-and-takedown obligations, and for further investigations into recommender systems.
  10. Calls for urgent compliance on researcher access to platform data and clarifies that enforcement of digital laws is not subject to trade-offs.
  11. Calls for monitoring of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, swift implementation of the revised Victims' Rights Directive, and integration of cyberbullying measures into mental health strategies.
  12. Calls for increased EU funding for civil society and development of user-friendly reporting mechanisms, including an EU-wide interface.

Who is affected

  • Online platforms: face calls for accountability, rigorous enforcement of DSA obligations, and potential new obligations on educational content.
  • Victims of cyberbullying: to benefit from easier reporting, support services, and psychological and legal assistance.
  • Member States: urged to establish anti-bullying plans, share best practices, and increase law enforcement capacities.
  • Civil society organisations: to receive increased and sustainable EU funding for helplines and awareness-raising.

Figures and deadlines

  • 18.3 % of children worldwide have experienced cyberbullying.
  • Around one in six children aged 11 to 15 in Europe report being victims; about one in eight admit to cyberbullying.
  • Between 2018 and 2022, cyberbullying among adolescents 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