The government approved Bulgaria's accession to the Jutland Declaration, aimed at building a safer online world for minors. The decision, announced by the government information service, marks an important moment in the efforts to protect the country's youngest citizens in the digital environment. The initiative is under the leadership of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU).
According to information from the Danish side, the European Union (EU) has already taken key regulatory measures to shape the digital environment. However, the need for additional efforts to ensure the safety of minors in the online space is emphasized.
It is envisaged that the accession of the member states to the Declaration will take place before the informal meeting of the EU Council on Transport, Telecommunications and Energy in the "Telecommunications" format. The meeting is scheduled for October 9-10 in the city of Horsens, Denmark. The discussions are expected to focus on specific steps to ensure the digital safety of children.
The Declaration defines a comprehensive approach to strengthening digital protections. The goal is to ensure that underage EU citizens can benefit from the positive aspects of the digital transformation while being protected from its potential negative effects. The document highlights the need to take additional measures to address the growing risks associated with the online environment. These include the increased negative influence of excessive use of social networks on mental health. The Declaration calls for joint efforts by the member states to effectively implement existing regulations, raise digital literacy among young people, and provide support for parents and teachers.
As the world continues to move in a digital direction, the need to protect children is growing. Data from the National Center for Safe Internet for 2024 shows a serious problem. This year, the hotline received 1 million and 750 thousand signals from Bulgaria and other European countries. Of these signals, a staggering 95% are related to sexual online exploitation. This alarming statistic underscores the urgency of the actions taken by the government and the need for coordinated efforts at the European level.