The European Association of Communications Agencies (EACA), in collaboration with the Conscious Advertising Network (CAN) and the 5Rights Foundation, successfully held the Irish Presidency Breakfast on Protecting Children Online at the European Parliament on 3 November. Hosted by MEP Nina Carberry, the event brought together several Members of the European Parliament, policymakers, child safety experts and communications industry leaders to discuss practical solutions for creating a safer digital environment for children.
Opening the event, MEP Nina Carberry emphasised the importance of protecting children in an increasingly digital world:
“The choices made in communications matter. That's what shapes what children see and how content is promoted and who it reaches. Children's rights should be part of those everyday decisions”.
Christian de La Villehuchet, President of EACA, also addressed attendees, highlighting the communications industry's responsibility to contribute to meaningful change:
“Creativity is our greatest asset but using it for good is actually our greatest responsibility”.
A panel discussion moderated by Méabh Mc Mahon, Chief Anchor at Euronews, brought together Leanda Barrington-Leach, Executive Director of the 5Rights Foundation; Isabelle Pérignon, Director for Consumer Policy at the European Commission; Prabhat Agarwal, Director of Online Platforms at the European Commission; and David Towers, Senior Partner at WPP Media.
The panellists shared how their respective sectors are working to strengthen children's protection and empowerment online. Prabhat Agarwal discussed the EU Kids Act and the need to move beyond restrictions towards safer digital environments that empower children, while Isabelle Pérignon outlined how the upcoming Digital Fairness Act aims to address addictive design, manipulative practices and influencer marketing, complementing existing EU legislation.
From the industry perspective, David Towers highlighted the practical safeguards advertisers use, including audience targeting, placement controls and campaign verification, as well as the opportunity to establish responsible advertising standards as AI evolves. Leanda Barrington-Leach stressed that responsibility for children's safety must lie with digital services rather than parents alone, advocating for safety by design and future-proof regulation that keeps pace with emerging technologies.
Together, the discussion reinforced the importance of coordinated action across regulation, industry practices and civil society to ensure children can navigate the digital world safely and confidently.
During the event, Charley Stoney, CEO of EACA, presented Childhood Redrawn, a campaign created by INNOCEAN Berlin and launched by EACA and the 5Rights Foundation as part of EACA's Campaign4Good initiative.
Using powerful visuals inspired by children's drawings, the campaign highlights the risks young people face online and calls for technology companies to prioritise children's safety by design. The initiative demonstrates how the creativity and reach of the communications industry can raise awareness, influence public debate and support meaningful societal change.
The breakfast also marked the announcement by Harriet Kingaby, Co-chair and Co-founder of CAN, and Dr. Mónika Magyar, Senior Public Affairs Advisor at EACA, that EACA, 5Rights and CAN will join forces in 2027 to develop a European training and certification programme on children’s rights and safety in advertising. The goal is simple: to give professionals the knowledge, confidence and tools to make better decisions every day.
Campaign4Good shows what creativity can achieve for children, and this programme aims to take that commitment further by making children’s safety part of how the entire industry works.