ROUNDTABLE ON CHILD ONLINE SAFETY WITH SAVE THE CHILDREN

In an increasingly digital world, the safety of children online has become a priority. With the alarming increase in child sexual abuse material (CSAM), which has grown by 15,000% between 2005 and 2020, MEP Javier Zarzalejos organised a roundtable to address the protection of minors on the internet.

The event, organised in collaboration with Save the Children, brought together experts from the institutional and civil society spheres to discuss current trends in online child safety and progress on EU legislative dossiers, such as the directive on child sexual abuse. During the discussion, the urgency of strengthening regulation and advancing effective cooperation to protect minors from digital risks, such as cyberbullying, grooming and the dissemination of sexually abusive material, was highlighted.

In his speech, Zarzalejos highlighted the significant steps taken, such as the collaboration with Europol and the recent extension of temporary measures to combat online child abuse. However, he stressed that there is still some way to go and that it is crucial to intensify efforts. He also called for joint action by legislators, digital platforms, non-governmental organisations and families, stressing that the protection of children in the digital environment is non-negotiable and must be at the heart of European policies.