Dublin summit shapes future of children's online safety
Dublin Castle hosted a major European conference focused on strengthening digital protections and safeguarding minors across member states. Senior officials and young delegates gathered to examine emerging research and discuss upcoming regulatory frameworks.
Dublin Castle played host to a significant two-day European conference focused on shaping the future online safety framework for minors. Convened under Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the EU, the gathering brought together policymakers, academics, civil society representatives, and young people to tackle digital risks and examine expert data.
Opening proceedings, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan emphasised the urgent need for robust action to protect children in digital spaces. The event featured the launch of the EU Kids Online 2026 survey, alongside high-level contributions from European Commission Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen and European Commissioner Michael McGrath, who highlighted the upcoming role of the Digital Fairness Act.
Delegates also engaged with findings from a dedicated Youth Forum and discussed potential EU-wide age restrictions for social media platforms. The comprehensive schedule concluded with ministerial working dinners and expert reflections, with the full programme available on the official website.