CNECV Presents Opinion on Digital Technologies at the Council of Europe
On 4 June 2026, in Strasbourg, at the Council of Europe, Maria do Céu Patrão Neves, President of the Portuguese National Council of Ethics for the Life Sciences (CNECV), presented the Joint Opinion entitled “The Impact of Excessive Use of Digital Technologies on the Health of Children and Adolescents: An Ethical Appraisal”, developed jointly by CNECV and the Spanish Bioethics Committee.
The presentation took place within the framework of the thematic dialogue “Social Media and Children’s Mental Health: Current Situation and Possible Responses”, organised by the Steering Committee for the Rights of the Child (CDENF), in cooperation with the Steering Committee for Human Rights in the fields of Biomedicine and Health (CDBIO), under the auspices of the Monaco Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
The Joint Opinion by CNECV and the Spanish Bioethics Committee analyses the impact of digital technologies on the physical, mental and social health of children and adolescents, highlighting the need to promote safer digital environments that support their overall development.
The document emphasises that the use of digital technologies should be accompanied by strategies aimed at strengthening digital literacy, citizenship education, privacy protection and the progressive autonomy of children and adolescents. It calls for a shared responsibility involving families, schools, healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities and technology companies.
This initiative formed part of a week of activities dedicated to the promotion and protection of children's rights across Europe, following the 13th Plenary Meeting of the CDENF, held on 2 and 3 June in Strasbourg. The event brought together representatives of Council of Europe Member States, international experts, civil society organisations, professionals from various fields and young participants for a broad discussion on the impact of digital technologies and social media on the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents.
The session was opened by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, highlighting the growing political and social importance attached to the challenges posed by digital transformation to younger generations. Throughout the day, scientific evidence, national experiences and possible policy, educational and regulatory responses were discussed in order to address the risks associated with the excessive use of digital technologies, while preserving the opportunities they provide.
Portugal was represented by Maria do Céu Patrão Neves, President of CNECV, and Célia Chamiça, Senior Officer at the National Commission for the Promotion of the Rights and Protection of Children and Young People.
CNECV’s participation in this important European forum reinforces its commitment to ethical reflection on the emerging challenges of contemporary society and to the protection of the rights, health and well-being of children and adolescents, in close cooperation with national and international institutions dedicated to these issues.
