What is the BIK+ strategy?
In the past ten years, digital technologies and the way children use them have changed dramatically. Most children use their smartphones daily and almost twice as much compared to ten years ago. They also use them from a much younger age (see EU Kids Online 2020). Modern devices bring opportunities and benefits, allowing children to interact with others, learn online and be entertained. But these gains are not without risks, such as the dangers of exposure to disinformation, cyberbullying (see JRC study) or harmful and illegal content, from which children need to be sheltered.
The European strategy for a Better Internet for Kids aims for accessible, age-appropriate and informative online content and services that are in children's best interests.
Read the full press release and discover more resources on the European Commission website.
The European strategy for a Better Internet for Kids is the digital arm of the Commission's comprehensive EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child (RoC) from 2021, and is accompanied by a compendium of relevant legislation. It was adopted together with a proposal for new EU legislation to protect children against sexual abuse. Moreover, the strategy follows the landmark provisional political agreement on the Digital Services Act (DSA), which contains safeguards for the protection of minors and prohibits online platforms from displaying targeted advertising based on profiling to minors.
#DigitalDecade4YOUth!
What can be done to ensure that the digital world is fit for the future? In 2021, the #DigitalDecade4YOUth collected views and feedback from over 750 children and young people. The results of the consultation informed the BIK+ strategy.
Read more about the #DigitalDecade4YOUth consultation.
The original European Strategy for a better internet for children
Back in 2012, the European Commission set out its original European Strategy for a better internet for children, which aimed to give children the digital skills and tools they need to fully and safely benefit from being online.
Read more about the former BIK strategy.
The three pillars of the BIK+ strategy in a nutshell
Under Pillar 1, we want to make sure that your digital world is safe
We want a safe internet that protects you from seeing things that make you feel scared, sad or uncomfortable.
Under Pillar 2, we want to make sure that you have the skills, knowledge and support you need
We want you to feel comfortable on the internet because you know how to use it safely and in a fun way.
Under Pillar 3, we want to make sure that you have a say
We want you to have a say with activities for children where you can tell us what kind of safe internet you want.
As part of the plans to ensure a safer online experience for all children and young people, it was pivotal to address them directly and provide them with the necessary tools to learn how to safely access and enjoy what the online world has to offer, and to be aware of potential risks and concerns. Thus, a child-friendly version of the BIK+ strategy was developed, starting from the key principles (or pillars) of the strategy and adapting the language and visual style to target a younger audience. Additionally, the child-friendly version includes a guide to explain some of the more specific jargon used in the leaflet, providing further context and information about the development of the strategy.
The making of the child-friendly version of the strategy would not have been possible without the crucial contribution of young people themselves. Indeed, a number of BIK Youth Ambassadors from all over Europe were consulted during the process, and provided invaluable feedback and assistance on the tone, style, and content of the child-friendly version.
The accessible, child-friendly version of the BIK+ strategy is available in all EU languages and a variety of non-EU languages. Read the accessible, child-friendly version on this page, or download the PDF here. You can access the translations of the child-friendy version here.
