The European Parliament on 20 May 2026 debated the recruitment of children by organised crime, with MEPs staking out divergent positions on prevention, prosecution, and the role of online platforms. EPP MEP Lena Düpont called for stronger prevention and prosecution through a coordinated EU approach, while S&D rapporteur Birgit Sippel stressed the vulnerability of minors in deprived areas and urged Member States to implement the EU strategy on organised crime. Renew Europe MEP Sophia in 't Veld pushed back against the Commission's reliance on voluntary measures, demanding binding rules for online platforms to detect and report grooming. Greens-EFA MEP Saskia Bricmont questioned the lack of child-specific indicators in Europol's reports. ECR MEP Patryk Jaki argued for tougher criminal penalties and better cross-border data sharing. The Left MEP Cornelia Ernst warned against securitisation, advocating for social investment and youth programmes instead. EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson acknowledged the gravity but defended the current framework, promising a review of the Child Sexual Abuse Directive by 2027. No formal decision was taken; the debate feeds into the upcoming legislative report. Affected stakeholders include children at risk, social services, law enforcement, tech companies, and NGOs working on child protection.