International video conference on strengthening the safety of the digital environment for minors

The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, attended yesterday's video conference organised by the French President, Emmanuel Macron, on the possible national and European initiatives to strengthen the safety of the digital environment for minors. In addition to European Commission President von der Leyen, the video conference was also attended by the leaders of the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Ireland and Spain, as well as by representatives of the governments of Austria, Denmark, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Slovenia.

During the discussion, President Meloni underlined that Italy is paying great attention to this issue and highlighted the initiatives the Government has adopted so far at national level to ensure a safe digital environment for minors.
In particular, President Meloni pointed out the following measures:

1. the ban on the use of mobile phones in class;
2. age verification for access to online pornographic material;
3. automatic denial of access to domains containing pornography, violence, drugs, racism and gambling for SIM cards and contracts held in the name of minors (so-called 'parental control');
4. the possibility to remove online content deemed to be harmful for minors' mental or physical development, or that incites hatred or violence;
5. the gradual roll-out of digital and media literacy courses in secondary schools (the so-called 'digital licence').

Moreover, President Meloni confirmed the Italian Government's full readiness to work on building an integrated approach to this issue also at European level, which should not be limited only to age verification, although this is nevertheless being carefully examined and is the subject of specific initiatives currently being discussed by the Italian Parliament. In this regard, President Meloni called on platforms to take greater responsibility to avoid their activities jeopardising young people's mental and physical well-being and to prevent and reduce behavioural addictions linked, in particular, to social media use.

Another key point President Meloni raised was the crucial need not to lose sight of the issue of data protection, at both national and European level. This approach should also include the promotion of digital education and support for families.

As was also stated in the Conclusions from the last European Council meeting, President Meloni lastly highlighted that all European measures must be in line with the specific requirements of national legislation and, at the same time, must ensure the utmost protection of citizens' privacy.