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Adopted text

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

TA-10-2026-0163 · P10_TA(2026)0163 · PE783.241

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

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Parliament's resolution on cyberbullying and online harassment welcomes the Commission action plan, calls for EU criminal law measures, stronger platform accountability under the DSA, and more support for victims.

Key points

  1. Welcomes the Commission action plan against cyberbullying, including its proposed definition, and calls for investment in digital education and media literacy for all children.
  2. Calls on member states to establish national anti-cyberbullying plans and effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties, and to provide easy reporting mechanisms.
  3. Invites the Commission to assess harmonised EU definition of cyberbullying and whether it should be an EU crime; reiterates support for adding hate crime to EU crimes.
  4. Calls for well-resourced law enforcement and increased investigative capacities, including for cross-border cases, and for sharing best practice and prioritising prevention.
  5. Calls for swift implementation of the revised Victims' Rights Directive.
  6. Calls on the Commission and member states to hold platforms accountable, enforce Article 28 DSA and notice-and-action, and reject reopening the DSA.
  7. Calls for guidelines for trusted flaggers on cyberbullying and for action to ensure voluntary reporting of child sexual abuse material.
  8. Concerned about AI abuse; calls for banning nudifier apps under the AI Act and for providers to comply with transparency and watermarking obligations.
  9. Calls on the Commission to assess risk obligations for online gaming operators and to monitor implementation of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive.
  10. Calls for increased EU funding for civil society, helplines and victim support, and for integrating cyberbullying prevention into mental health strategies.

Who is affected

  • Online platforms and very large online platforms: must implement Article 28 DSA and notice-and-action, and comply with AI transparency rules.
  • Member states: to establish anti-cyberbullying plans, penalties, and reporting mechanisms, and to implement directives.
  • Victims of cyberbullying, especially minors and vulnerable groups: to benefit from easier reporting, support services, and protection.
  • Civil society organisations and helplines: to receive increased and sustainable 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.
  • 92 % of EU citizens see urgent need for action to protect children online.

Legal basis: Articles 83(1) and (2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union