The European Anti-Bullying Network (EAN) participated in the public hearing “Action plan against cyberbullying: Safer online, stronger together”, organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on 26 May 2026.

The hearing brought together institutional representatives, civil society organisations, child rights experts and youth representatives to discuss the European Commission’s Action Plan against cyberbullying and to explore how Europe can better protect children and young people in the digital environment. EAN was represented by Piji Protopsaltis, Coordinator of the European Anti-Bullying Network, who contributed to the panel on best practices and civil society perspectives.

In its intervention, EAN underlined that cyberbullying is no longer a marginal issue, but one of the fastest-growing threats to children’s wellbeing across Europe. Today, European children are connected 24 hours a day — and so is the harm. Cyberbullying can follow them into their homes, their bedrooms and their minds, becoming constant, pervasive and difficult to escape.

EAN stressed the need for a holistic, child-centred and European response, one that does not treat children and young people as an afterthought or only when crises emerge, but recognises them as central actors in shaping a safer digital and social future.

Welcoming the publication of the EU Action Plan against Cyberbullying, EAN highlighted the importance of a common and evolving understanding of the phenomenon across Member States, stronger digital citizenship education from an early age, and accessible tools that allow children and young people to report cyberbullying, submit evidence and receive adequate support.

Drawing on evidence and best practices from its member organisations across Europe, EAN presented key proposals, including stronger platform accountability, improved data collection, cross-border cooperation, capacity-building for adults, digital literacy training, whole-school anti-bullying policies, and the creation of an EU Observatory on Bullying and Cyberbullying. EAN also emphasised the importance of primary prevention through digital resilience curricula, youth participation, parental training and socio-emotional education.

As an active European network of organisations working to prevent and tackle bullying, cyberbullying and peer violence, EAN remains committed to supporting the implementation of effective policies and practices across Europe. Through cooperation, evidence-based action and the active involvement of children and young people, Europe can move towards a safer online environment — stronger together.