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Parliamentary question - P-000734/2021(ASW)Parliamentary question
P-000734/2021(ASW)

Answer given by Mr Breton on behalf of the European Commission

Protecting children online is a Commission policy and regulatory priority. The revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive[1] requires Member States to ensure that online video-sharing platforms, such as TikTok, take measures, including effective age verification, parental controls and flagging and reporting mechanisms, to restrict children’s access to harmful content online. The Commission has repeatedly stressed the need for implementing the new audiovisual rules in all Member States without further delay. The Commission plans to report on the application of the directive by 19 December 2022.

In December 2020, the Commission adopted the Digital Services Act proposal[2], which offers a comprehensive set of rules for a safer online space, including an enhanced toolbox to address significant risks to the well-being of minors. Very large online platforms will have to audit, assess and mitigate such risks and redesign their systems to respond to societal concerns. It includes banning, demonetising and alerting on such content, revising the recommender system or informing users on the danger of such content.

Under the European Strategy for a Better Internet for Children[3], the Commission co-funds the EU network of Safer Internet Centres in the Members States and the EU platform BetterInternetforkids.eu to provide children, parents and educators with training and resources, including on online challenges. Additionally, the Co mmission will soon finance a pilot project aimed to demonstrate an interoperable technical infrastructure dedicated to the implementation of age verification and parental consent mechanisms based on relevant EU legislation.

The upcoming European Strategy on the Rights of the Child will make the protection of children from all forms of violence a key priority.

Last updated: 10 March 2021
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