Young people’s perspectives were prominently featured at the 19th Ministerial Conference of the Pompidou Group, held on 27–28 November 2025 at the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg. The event brought together ministers, senior officials, experts and civil society representatives to review the achievements of the 2023–2025 work cycle and discuss emerging challenges - including the growing impact of digital and online addictions on public health and wellbeing.
During Session on addressing risks and harms related to online addictions, the Advisory Council on Youth (CCJ) delivered the “Voices from Youth” intervention, underscoring that responses to online addictions must remain firmly rooted in human rights. Drawing on Article 11 of the European Social Charter and relevant international standards, the Advisory Council emphasised that protecting young people’s health and wellbeing is both a legal obligation and a shared societal responsibility.
The Advisory Council also highlighted the essential contribution of youth work to prevention and resilience-building. Through non-formal education, safe spaces and supportive relationships, youth work strengthens critical thinking, digital literacy and healthier online habits. Guided by the Council of Europe’s Recommendation on youth work CM/Rec(2017)4, the youth sector continues to support member States in developing quality youth work as part of wider prevention strategies.
The Advisory Council also underlined the importance of youth information in mitigating digital risks. Showcasing the Youth Department’s long-standing cooperation with ERYICA – the European Youth Information and Counselling Agency, the intervention illustrated how youth-friendly information services provide young people with accessible, reliable guidance to navigate digital environments safely. This partnership supports member States in advancing quality youth information policy and practice, which is directly relevant to the digital addictions agenda.
The Advisory Council further recalled the various educational and human-rights-based tools developed by the Council of Europe’s youth sector — including the Youth Work Portfolio, Compass and Bookmarks — which strengthen digital resilience, mental wellbeing and young people’s capacity to make informed online choices. Research from the EU–Council of Europe Partnership in the field of youth, including publications on youth mental health and digitalisation, was also referenced as an important resource for national policy development.
Concluding its contribution, the Advisory Council stressed that the complexity of online addictions requires co-operation, coherence and the meaningful inclusion of young people in shaping solutions. The CCJ reaffirmed its commitment to supporting member States and partners in developing evidence-informed, rights-based and youth-centred approaches.
