HELT TALKS _2026-27-s03

2026/27 | Session 03

EU KIDS Act: Harmonising child protection online in the EU

On 17 September 2026, the European Commission proposed the “EU KIDS ACT - EU Keeping Internet Digital Spaces Accountable and Trustworthy Act” Regulation, based on Article 114 of the TFEU. The proposal seeks to address fragmentation in the internal market from diverging national age-restriction laws, while at the same time ensure a high level of protection for children’s health, well-being, privacy, safety and security in Europe. More precisely, the proposal introduces a EU-wide delay on autonomous account creation for under-15s, safety-by-design duties for online social networking services, video sharing platforms, online games, AI companions and chatbots, and an age-assurance framework.

The proposal follows the increasing political momentum to strengthen the protection of children online, in the wake of new technological developments. [1] Across the Atlantic, recent US court rulings and settlements escalated the debate of platform liability, marking an historical turning point. In August 2026, the New Mexico court ordered Meta to pay $567 million in damage for the public nuisance of META products, due to the direct impact on the mental health of children. [2] That same month, Meta agreed to pay around $17bn to end a lawsuit driven by 47 US States which argued that the company’s Facebook and Instagram platforms intentionally addicted and harmed children. [3]

Against this background, reactions from stakeholders have been mixed, exposing tensions in balancing key fundamental rights, such as the children’s right to protection and care as necessary for their well-being, and their freedom of expression, information and private life. This talk intends to brief participants on the EU KIDS ACT, explore the safeguards proposed in the regulation, and debate whether the goals justify the means.

We will have the opportunity to hear from Ms Manon Baert, Policy Officer at the DSA Protection of Minors and Other Societal Risks Unit in DG CNECT, European Commission, to present the legislative proposal; Ms Francesca Pisanu, Senior Policy Officer at Eurochild, to provide the perspective of those working with children in Europe; and Mr Tommaso Subioli, Legal and Policy Officer from BEUC – The European Consumer Organisation, to offer the consumer’s perspective. Prof. Dr Paul Quinn will provide the introductory remarks, and Ms Sara Roda will moderate the talk.

Can the EU harmonised approach lead to safer digital environments for children, reversing the business model of exploiting user psychology to generate revenue?
How to balance the fundamental right to freedom of expression with the children’s right to protection and care necessary for their well-being?
Is there an overriding public health interest which justifies the age-assurance framework? What measures can this concept warrant?
Is the big tech sector facing its “big tobacco moment”?
What lessons can we learn from the latest US court rulings?

References

[1] Prof. Dr. Jörg M. Fegert and Dr. Maria Melchior, “Report by the co-chairs of the Special Panel on Child Safety Online – Protecting and Empowering Minors in a Digital World,”13 July 2026, doi: 10.2775/5392522, https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/d833504d-5ec3-4fac-945f-38e7d0bd5326_en?filename=Special-panel-report.pdf, accessed 15 October 2026, p 9.

[2] New Mexico v Meta Platforms, Inc., No. D-101-CV-2023-02838 (1st Jud. Dist. Ct. 6 August 2026), https://nmdoj.gov/wp-content/uploads/D-101-CV-2023-02838-Meta-Judgement.pdf, accessed 15 October 2026.

[3] People of the State of California, et al. v. Meta Platforms, Inc., et al., case Nos. 4:22-md-03047-YGR 4:23-cv-05448-YGR, 26 August 2026, in re: social media adolescent addiction/personal injury, products liability litigation, consent judgment, <https://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-0826_DOC-3451-202…;, and approved settlement agreement, accessed 15 October 2026 https://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-0826_DOC-3451-1-2026.08.26-Meta-State-AGs-Settlement-Agreement.pdf, accessed 15 October 2026.

Session Moderator: Sara Roda

Speakers

Manon Baert

European Commission, DG CNECT, Protection of Minors and Other Societal Risks Unit

Manon Baert is a policy officer in the Unit F3 - DSA Protection of Minors and Other Societal Risks within DG CNECT. She previously worked as a Senior EU Affairs Officer at 5Rights, advocating for the respect of the rights of the child by design and by default in the online environment. Her experience also includes time within a non-profit and a consultancy, with a focus on human rights and sustainability. Having graduated from the College of Europe and Maastricht University, she has a background in European Law and International Affairs and speaks fluent French, English and Spanish.

Francesca Pisanu

Eurochild

Francesca Pisanu holds an Advanced Master of Laws in International Children’s Rights and is Senior Policy Officer at Eurochild, where she leads its work on online safety and contributes to its broader EU advocacy. Francesca’s work on children’s rights in the digital environment covers the Digital Services Act, EU KIDS Act, Digital Fairness Act, the AI Act and the Audiovisual Media Services Directive. She also engages with the proposed Regulation to prevent and combat child sexual abuse and the revision of the Child Sexual Abuse Directive.

Tommaso Subioli

BEUC - The European Consumer Organisation

Tommaso is a legal and policy officer at BEUC - The European Consumer Organisation. He leads BEUC's advocacy work on the EU KIDS Act and on the Digital Services Act (DSA). He has several years of experience doing public affairs in Brussels, focusing particularly on online platform regulation, consumer protection, and AI. He holds an M.Sc. in Politics, Economics, and Philosophy from the University of Hamburg and a B.A. in Global Governance from the University of Rome Tor Vergata. Outside of his professional life, he volunteers as an educator for young kids in a local Scout group in Brussels. BEUC is the umbrella group for 44 independent consumer organisations from 31 countries across Europe.