FOSI 2025 European Forum
Overview
The Philosophy, Policy, and Practice of Online Safety
On June 11th, 2025, FOSI hosted its European Forum at Netflix’s EMEA Headquarters in Amsterdam, convening leaders from government, academia, industry, and civil society to examine the evolving landscape of online safety across the globe. With the theme The Philosophy, Policy, and Practice of Online Safety, the forum explored how research, regulation, and innovation intersect to create a safer and more empowering digital world.
The day began with welcome remarks from Tami Bhaumik, FOSI Chair and VP at Roblox, followed by opening remarks from Rob Zimmerman of Netflix. A powerful fireside chat kicked off the program, featuring Stephen Balkam (FOSI), Arda Gerkens (Netherlands), Oliver Griffiths (UK Ofcom), and Niamh Hodnett (Ireland), who reflected on their respective regulatory approaches to protecting children online.
FOSI then debuted a panel of leading academics—Sandra Cortesi (Berkman Klein Center), Julia Davidson (University of East London), Pete Etchells (Bath Spa University), and Jessica Piotrowski (University of Amsterdam)—to examine the current state of online safety research, moderated by Stephen Balkam. The conversation touched on themes of digital empowerment, evidence-based policymaking, and the nuanced challenges families face across digital platforms.
Throughout the day, attendees participated in timely conversations on regulation, innovation, and youth engagement. Highlights included:
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A panel on European regulation, with experts from 5Rights Foundation, k-ID, Online Safety Act Network, and the European Commission, unpacking the DSA, GDPR, AI Act, and more.
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A fireside chat with Candela Montero (Epic Games) and Michael Murray (UK ICO) on youth-focused safety design.
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A deep dive into tech innovation featuring voices from TikTok, YouTube, Telia Company, GSMA, Resolver, and Roblox, exploring how technology can better support families.
In the afternoon, attendees viewed a short clip from Netflix’s “Adolescence,” which uniquely featured high school students sharing their perspectives on the clip and online safety. This session, led by Stephen Balkam and Madeleine de Cock Buning (Netflix), provided a rare opportunity for young voices to contribute to the dialogue around digital citizenship and safety. Their insights seamlessly set the stage for a dynamic panel on preparing kids for digital adulthood. Speakers from Amazon, Tencent, Childnet, and educational and nonprofit groups weighed in on real-world parenting, digital education, and kids’ lived online experiences.
The day concluded with a final fireside chat between Stephen Balkam and Ruben van der Dussen (Apple), followed by closing remarks and a lively networking reception.
Event Highlights:
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Fireside Chats with senior leaders from Apple, Netflix, Epic Games, and European regulators
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Panels on cutting-edge research, EU regulation, AI safety, and digital parenting
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Student voices and educator perspectives in response to Netflix’s Adolescence
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Networking reception hosted at Netflix’s Amsterdam HQ
Photos and the full event livestream will be available soon. Stay tuned!
Speakers
Henry Adams
Director of Trust & Safety, Resolver
Manon Baert
Senior EU Affairs Officer, 5Rights Foundation
Stephen Balkam
Founder & CEO, Family Online Safety Institute
Tami Bhaumik
VP, Civility & Partnerships, Roblox, FOSI Board Chair*
Madeleine de Cock Buning
Vice President Global Affairs EMEA, Netflix
Julia Claire Davidson OBE, PhD(LSE)
Professor of Criminology & Criminal Justice, University of East London
Luc Delany
Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, k-ID
Lena De Geer
Senior Sustainability Development Lead, Telia Company
Eric Ebenstein
Senior Director of Public Policy, TikTok*
Pete Etchells
Professor of Psychology and Science Communication, Bath Spa University
Will Gardner OBE
CEO, Childnet
Arda Gerkens
President, ATKM
Oliver Griffiths
Group Director, Online Safety, Ofcom
Niamh Hodnett
Online Safety Commissioner, Coimisiún na Meán
Natasha Jackson
Head of Public Policy and Consumer Affairs, GSMA
Candela Montero
Vice President of Trust, Safety and Support, Epic Games
Michael Murray
Head of Regulatory Strategy, ICO
Rivka Otten
Project Manager, Offlimits | Helpwanted
William Perrin
Founder, Online Harms Network
Jessica Taylor Piotrowski
Professor, University of Amsterdam
David Wheeldon
Head of EMEA Government Affairs and Public Policy, YouTube
Tim Stok
Director Public Affairs EMEA, Tencent
Andrew Zack
Senior Policy Manager, Family Online Safety Institute
Rob Zimmermann
Regional General Counsel EMEA, Netflix
Agenda
9:30 AM – 10:15 AM: Registration & Light Breakfast
10:15 AM – 10:20 AM: Welcome Remarks
- Tami Bhaumik, Roblox and FOSI Chair
10:20 AM – 10:25 AM: Opening Remarks
- Rob Zimmerman, Netflix
10:25 AM – 10:55 AM: Fireside Chat
- Stephen Balkam, FOSI
- Arda Gerkens, Authority for the protection of online Terrorist Content and Child Sexual Abuse Material, the Netherlands
- Oliver Griffiths, UK Ofcom
- Niamh Hodnett, Coimisiún na Meán, Irish Online Safety Commissioner
10:55 AM – 11:45 AM: Panic or Proof? The State of Online Safety Research
This panel of academic experts will share their latest research in online safety while exploring major trends and philosophical approaches. What does the data reveal about families’ online safety habits? How do we balance protection with empowerment, privacy with safety, parents’ rights with childrens’ rights? And how do we influence policy with more evidence than emotion?
- Stephen Balkam, FOSI (moderator)
- Sandra Cortesi, Berkman Klein Center
- Julia Davidson, University of East London
- Pete Etchells, Bath Spa University
- Jessica Piotrowski, University of Amsterdam
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM: Networking Lunch
12:45 PM – 1:35 PM: Does Europe Have the Answers to Online Safety Regulation?
The discussion will explore major online safety policies recently implemented across Europe, with references to developments in both the US and UK. Panelists will discuss what is working, what needs to be improved, and what further steps are needed to improve online safety policy. This may include the DSA, GDPR, EU AI Act, Digital Fairness Act, AVMSD, UK Online Safety Act, UK Age Appropriate Design Code, US COPPA, US KOSA, US state laws, and more.
- Andrew Zack, FOSI (moderator)
- Manon Baert, 5Rights Foundation
- Luc Delany, k-ID
- William Perrin OBE, Online Safety Act Network
- Andrea Tognoni, European Commission, DG CONNECT
1:35 PM – 2:00 PM: Fireside Chat
- Candela Montero, Epic Games
- Michael Murray, UK Information Commissioner’s Office
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Tech to the Rescue? How Tech Can Support Families
This panel will highlight some of the latest technological advancements related to online safety, what is encouraging, where is progress being made vs where there are opportunities to improve, and what families and policymakers should know about the latest safety tech. This conversation will cover timely issues such as AI safety and age assurance, as well as other emerging online safety initiatives.
- Natasha Jackson, GSMA (moderator)
- Henry Adams, Resolver
- Tami Bhaumik, Roblox and FOSI Chair
- Eric Ebenstein, TikTok
- Lena De Geer, Telia Company
- David Wheeldon, YouTube
3:00 PM – 3:20 PM: Tea Break
3:20 PM – 3:40 PM: A Short Clip and Discussion of Netflix’s Adolescence
- Stephen Balkam, FOSI
- Madeleine de Cock Buning, Netflix
3:40 PM – 4:30 PM: Are We Preparing Kids for Digital Adulthood?
This panel will offer a window into how families across Europe are juggling real life and online safety. Industry representatives will share some of their initiatives, and parent and educational groups will discuss what they have experienced as their kids and students become digital citizens. This panel will also be able to respond to the preceding clip and discussion of the Netflix show Adolescence.
- Will Gardner, Childnet (moderator)
- Jo McKeegan, Amazon
- Cecilia Neethling, International School Hilversum
- Rivka Otten, Offlimits | Helpwanted
- Tim Stok, Tencent
4:30 PM – 4:50 PM: Fireside Chat
- Stephen Balkam, FOSI
- Ruben van der Dussen, Apple
4:50 PM – 4:55 PM: Closing Remarks
- Stephen Balkam, FOSI
4:55 PM – 6:00 PM: Reception
*Please note, all times listed are CEST, local to Amsterdam, Netherlands. Timing, speakers, and content of the agenda is subject to change.
