This week, a report on children’s safety online was presented to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. The report was informed by the work of a panel of experts who were tasked with developing a strong and practical European approach to keep children safe online. 
 
The panel brought together young people and experts from across the EU, including in health, neuroscience, education, psychology, computer science, child rights, and digital literacy. Dr Louise Heeran Flynn, from Trinity College Dublin School of Education was one of the experts who contributed to the panel. 
 
The report ‘Child Safety Online: Protecting and Empowering Minors in a Digital World’, according to Louise, highlights the critical challenges children face online and provides recommendations and inspiration on better protecting and empowering them, as well as on the age-appropriate use of social media and other digital services.  
 
“From March to June 2026, the panel met a number of times in Brussels to explore both the opportunities and the risks of children spending time online. Discussions looked at how to better support parents and caregivers, while highlighting key lessons and good practices from across the EU and beyond. The panel discussions have been based on the latest research and real-life experiences of children and families. 
 
“We must keep children safe in the online world, just as we do in the offline world. The positive opportunities that technology offers cannot come at the expense of children’s safety, health or happiness.” 
   
The report cites Louise’s recommendation to “position teacher education as a non-legislative pillar for children’s online safety” and to “embed digital education across teacher education programmes in an integrated manner and empower teachers to work effectively with parents”. 
   

Dr Heeran Flynn’s appointment to this panel and involvement in this report, builds on the School of Education's reputation for excellence in research activity and leadership, and aligns with the university's vision to be a university that challenges and serves society, making positive change through the advancement of knowledge and discovery. 

  

📊 Link to the full report, including tips for children and young people, parents and teachers can be found at - https://commission.europa.eu/topics/digital-economy-and-society/protecting-children-online/special-panel_e 

  

"And in all of this work we will be guided by the need to empower parents and build a safer Europe for our children. Because when it comes to our kids’ safety online, Europe believes in parents, not profits.” — EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN, STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS, 2025