European Parliament Adopts Cyberbullying Resolution: Calls for Harmonised Definition, Stricter Platform Liability and Robust Enforcement
The European Parliament adopted on 30 April 2026 a resolution demanding the strict enforcement of existing EU laws against cyberbullying, the establishment of a harmonised EU definition of cyberbullying, and significantly increased platform responsibility to improve protection of citizens — particularly minors — across the digital space. The resolution, adopted with strong cross-party support, brings cyberbullying back to the centre of European digital policy at a moment when adoption of the AI Act, the DSA and the DMA still leaves notable enforcement gaps.
The scale of the problem
The resolution opens with a sober diagnostic: roughly one in three young Europeans aged 12 to 17 reports having been targeted by cyberbullying at least once. Over one in six adults has experienced sustained online harassment. Mental health consequences include anxiety, depression, social isolation and, in extreme cases, suicidal behaviour. The Parliament cites several recent national investigations into cyberbullying-related deaths and emphasises the urgency of a coherent EU-wide response.
The harmonised definition
A central demand is the establishment of a common legal definition of cyberbullying applicable across the 27 member states. Currently, only some member states criminalise cyberbullying explicitly; others rely on broader provisions covering harassment, defamation or threats. The fragmentation undermines cross-border investigations and platform compliance. The resolution calls on the Commission to propose a directive establishing minimum standards, including criminal sanctions, victim protection and rapid takedown procedures.
Platform responsibility
The resolution pushes Commission enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) on cyberbullying-related obligations and demands that Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) — including Meta, X, TikTok and Snap — implement systemic risk-mitigation measures. The Parliament specifically calls for: enhanced age-verification mechanisms, default privacy settings for minors, faster takedown procedures with binding deadlines, easier reporting routes, and meaningful penalties under the DSA up to 6% of global turnover for systematic failures.
The ‘nudification’ apps ban
Linked to the cyberbullying resolution, MEPs are pushing for a ban on so-called nudification apps — AI-driven applications that generate non-consensual intimate imagery, often used in coordinated harassment campaigns against women and minors. Discussions on this ban have been folded into the so-called digital omnibus negotiation between Parliament and Council. A press conference is foreseen if a deal is reached. France, Germany, Italy and Belgium have led the political push for an outright ban with criminal sanctions.
National enforcement
The resolution also addresses national enforcement capacity. Many member states’ law enforcement agencies lack the digital forensic capabilities or the staffing to handle the rising volume of cyberbullying cases. The Parliament calls for dedicated EU funding through the Internal Security Fund and for systematic training programmes for prosecutors and judges. Europol would be tasked with developing a centralised platform for cross-border case coordination and best practice exchange.
What comes next
Although Parliament resolutions are not binding, this text sets a clear political agenda. The Commission has signalled it will assess before the end of 2026 whether to propose a dedicated cyberbullying directive or to address the issue through targeted DSA enforcement guidelines and updates to existing instruments such as the Victims’ Rights Directive. National elections in Germany, France and Italy in 2026-2027 will keep this issue politically salient throughout the legislative cycle.
