The European Parliament wants to strengthen the protection of children online. But for the ECR Group, this is no justification for shifting parental responsibility to Brussels or creating new EU-level control systems.

The European Conservatives and Reformists’ shadow rapporteur, Kosma Złotowski, speaking in the debate on Parliament’s own-initiative report on the protection of minors online, warned against establishing EU-wide systems of monitoring, identification or digital control in the name of children’s safety.

He stressed that children need guidance, education and responsible adults — not another layer of centralised EU regulation.

“Children are our joy, our pride and our future. They must be protected — also online — but that responsibility lies first with parents and Member State policies, not with Brussels,” he said.

Złotowski criticised the report’s call for EU-wide age-verification mechanisms and a centralised “digital age” linked to the EU Digital ID Wallet — proposals that exceed the EU’s competences and could create infrastructure capable of tracking or restricting access for all users.

“The idea that the Commission should centrally ban access to social media is completely at odds with subsidiarity. Decisions about children’s access must be taken as close to families as possible — in the Member States, not in Brussels,” he said.

The ECR Group argues that the EU should support parents, not replace them in looking after their children. However, there is a constructive role for the Commission to play. Centre-right and conservative MEPs propose continuing work on high standards for platform design, better digital education, greater awareness of online risks and effective parental-control tools — without forcing every user in Europe to undergo intrusive age-verification.

The ECR also warns that national debates in the United Kingdom and Australia demonstrate how socially sensitive restrictive measures are. For that reason, Member States must have the opportunity to hold an individual, in-depth domestic debate on this delicate issue before any decisions are taken. The EU must avoid drifting towards an over-regulated, surveillance-driven internet model.

The ECR Group has tabled amendments to ensure the report takes a balanced and proportionate approach, protecting children while defending privacy, subsidiarity and national competences.

The vote will take place on Wednesday.