In May 2022, the European Commission published its new European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+). The updated BIK+ strategy is the digital arm of the rights of the child strategy and reflects the recently proposed digital principle that ‘Children and young people should be protected and empowered online’. It takes into account the European Parliament Resolution on children’s rights, the Council Conclusions on media literacy, and the Council Recommendation establishing a European Child Guarantee. 

The new BIK+ strategy is based on an extensive consultation process with children and young people, complemented by targeted consultations with parents, teachers, Member States, ICT and media industry, civil society, academics and international organisations. It will support the implementation of EU legislation on child safety, including the Audio-visual Media Services Directive (AVMSD), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the strengthened provisions on child online safety in the Digital Services Act (DSA), the proposed Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act and the newly adopted proposal for new EU legislation to protect children against sexual abuse. 

Against this background, Safer Internet Forum 2022 will provide an opportunity to discuss the BIK+ strategy in detail and identify its key objectives and priority actions for the coming years. It will explore the roles and responsibilities for public and private stakeholders, along with how to monitor its impact and effectiveness. To mark the European Year of Youth, the event is being organised in a youth-led manner, with young people playing an active role in the planning, preparation and delivery of the Forum.