In a 17 June 2026 plenary debate on protecting children from social media risks, EU Culture Commissioner Glenn Micallef outlined the Commission's existing framework (DSA, AVMSD, GDPR, AI Act) and announced upcoming initiatives: the Digital Fairness Act, the AVMSD review, and a special panel on child safety online reporting in July. He stressed enforcement against platforms like TikTok and Meta for addictive design and age-verification failures. MEPs broadly agreed on urgency but diverged on solutions. EPP's Ewa Kopacz and S&D's Alex Agius Saliba called for strict enforcement and safe algorithms. Patriots for Europe's Annamária Vicsek emphasised parental supervision and digital literacy. ECR's Antonella Sberna demanded platforms be liable for harmful content and age verification. Renew's Valérie Hayer urged a ban on social media for under-16s, while Greens-EFA's Kim van Sparrentak pushed for banning addictive design in the Digital Fairness Act. The Left's Carolina Morace called for clear EU rules and digital literacy. ESN's Sarah Knafo criticised the debate for ignoring pedophile crimes and advocated for a public register of offenders. Several MEPs (Pablo Arias Echeverría, Laurent Castillo) warned against solely blaming platforms, stressing parental responsibility. Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová directly addressed Meta and X owners, accusing them of prioritising profit over child safety. A blue-card exchange saw Petras Gražulis link gender ideology to harm, which Cifrová Ostrihoňová dismissed as irrelevant.
The debate highlighted a split between those favouring stricter regulation and bans versus those emphasising education and parental roles. No formal decision was taken; the Commission will consider the panel's recommendations in July.