One of the European Union’s flagship initiatives for the digital transition is the Digital Europe Programme, which aims to strengthen Member States’ technological capacities and support the development of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital skills. Within this programme, however, there exists a less visible yet strategically significant pillar: the Safer Internet Centres (SICs), which serve the protection of children online. These centres operate hotlines, helplines, and educational programmes, and over the past fifteen years have become a key institutional pillar of child protection across Europe.
The most recent funding round has created a significant disruption in this system. Fifteen Member States – including Hungary – were not awarded funding and have been placed on a reserve list, creating not only operational uncertainty but also systemic risk. As a result, approximately 185 million EU citizens are currently deprived of this effective European…
