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Respect for the views of the child
Children reported that the digital environment afforded them crucial opportunities for their voices to be heard in matters that affected them.
The use of digital technologies can help to realize children’s participation at the local, national and international levels.
Therefore, awareness of, and access to, digital means for children to express their views must be promoted and support for children must be offered.
Focus
12.09.24Ensuring children's rights in the metaverse through proactive digital policy
Jutta Croll & Torsten Krause, SDC
As part of the 15th Internet Governance Forum Germany, the project ‘Child protection and children's rights in the digital world’ held a workshop on the topic of children's rights in the metaverse on 11 September.
02.09.24Insights into the Motivation of Sexual Abuse Offenders Online
Yonca Ekinci, SDC
The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and its accessibility pose complex challenges for those working to combat sexual violence against children online. Reasons for this are the low barriers to using AI. It is possible for offenders to exploit these technologies alone or within offender communities to produce and disseminate depictions of child sexual abuse (CSAM) online.
26.08.24Reporting portal for sexual violence online
Torsten Krause, SDC
In the INHOPE network, organisations around the world work together to prevent sexual abuse of children and young people in the digital environment and to support criminal prosecution. In order for this to be realised, it is particularly important to find out the extent to which sexual violence takes place online.
02.08.24Survey on data protection for children
Torsten Krause, SDC
The Indian organisation CUTS International (Consumer Unity & Trust Society) is currently conducting a survey on the topics of data protection and behavioural analysis of young users in the digital environment.
Scientific studies
Why Children Are Unsafe In Cyberspace
Boston Consulting Group
The study offers a global overview of children's and carers' perceptions of risks in the digital environment and provides advice on how these can be countered. The categorisation and evaluation of the results do not necessarily reflect the views of the project.
Speaking up for change Children’s and caregivers’ voices for safer online experiences
VOICE Project
In April 2024, ECPAT International, terre des hommes Netherlands and Eurochild together presented the VOICE study in Brussels. In the study, children and parents were asked about their views, opinions and experiences regarding children's safety online. You can find more information in our article here.
Tech Plattforms Used by Online Child Sexual Abuse Offenders
Protect Children
The research report offers an unprecedented insight into the behavioral patterns and habits of online offenders with recommendations for action for platform providers to prevent sexual violence against children online. Further information can be found in our article "Measures required to protect children from sexual violence online".
4. BIK Policy Map
The Better Internet for Kids (BIK) Map was created to compare and exchange knowledge on policy making and implementation in EU Member States on the themes and recommendations of the European Strategy for a Better Internet for Children. The fourth report of the series was released in May 2023.
Looking forward: Technological and social change in the lives of European children and young people
Report for the ICT Coalition for Children Online
Blum-Ross, A., Donoso, V., Dinh, T., Mascheroni, G., O’Neill, B., Riesmeyer, C., and Stoilova, M. (2018)., ICT Coalition
The Members of the ICT Coalition for Children Online have recently commissioned a new report on how relationships between technology and the cultural and social practices and institutions that affect children and young people will likely evolve.
May 2017Children´s and young people´s rights in the digital age
a series of articles in the SAGE journal; Vol 19, Issue 5, 2017
SAGE Journal, SAGE Journal
In Vol 19, Issue 5, 2017 of the SAGE Journal in the New Media & Society category, there are a number of contributions to children's rights in the digital age.
Additional content for: Accessibility | Digital Parenting | Vulnerable Children | Internet Governance | Internet Policy | Youth Protection | Media Education | Media Usage | Privacy | Sexting | Social Media | UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
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Official documents
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN-CRC)
General Assembly of the United Nations, Vereinte Nationen
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN-CRC) is the most important human rights instrument for children. It was passed on November 20th, 1989, by the General Assembly of the United Nations. It is the most ratified UN-Convention - every member state has signed it, except for the United States. The Federal Republic of Germany signed it on January 26th, 1990, and it came into effect on April 5th, 1992. The rights of children were written down in 54 articles, and oblige the state to their implementation, that is, to respect, protect and fulfill them.
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN-CRC) - full text
UN-Committee on the Rights of the Child, Vereinte Nationen
Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989, entry into force 2 September 1990, in accordance with article 49
General comment No. 25 (2021) on children’s rights in relation to the digital environment
Table of content
General comment No. 25 (2021) on children’s rights in relation to the digital environment - table of content
Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2022-2027)
Guide for Children and Young People
Council of Europe
This is a guide for children and young people from 12 to 17 years old to understand the main objectives of the Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2022-2027).
- November 2022
General comment No. 25 (2021) on children’s rights in relation to the digital environment
General comment No. 25 - Chapter I: Introduction and chapter II: Objective
General comment No. 25 - Chapter I: Introduction and chapter II: Objective
Revision of the EU Guidelines for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Child (2017)
The guidelines recall international standards on the rights of the child and provide comprehensive guidance as well as concrete ways to promote effectively and protect the rights of the child.
African Youth Charter
The African Youth Charter provides a framework for youth empowerment and development activities at the continental, regional and national levels across Africa.
The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) is an important tool for advancing children’s rights. While building on the same basic principles as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the ACRWC highlights issues of special importance in the African context.
General comment No. 25 - Chapter XI: Education, leisure and cultural activities A
General comment No. 25 - Chapter XI: Education, leisure and cultural activities A
General comment No. 25 - Chapter XI: Education, leisure and cultural activities B
General comment No. 25 - Chapter XI: Education, leisure and cultural activities B
General comment No. 25 - Chapter XIII: International and regional cooperation and chapter XIV Dissemination
General comment No. 25 - Chapter XIII: International and regional cooperation and chapter XIV Dissemination
General comment No. 25 - Chapter III: General principles A - B
General comment No. 25 - Chapter III: General principles A - B
General comment No. 25 - Chapter III: General principles C - D
General comment No. 25 - Chapter III: General principles C - D
General comment No. 25 - Chapter IV: Evolving capacities
General comment No. 25 - Chapter IV: Evolving capacities
General comment No. 25 - Chapter V: General measures of implementation by States parties A - F
General comment No. 25 - Chapter V: General measures of implementation by States parties A - F
General comment No. 25 - Chapter V: General measures of implementation by States parties G - I
General comment No. 25 - Chapter V: General measures of implementation by States parties G - I
General comment No. 25 - Chapter V: General measures of implementation by States parties J - K 1
General comment No. 25 - Chapter V: General measures of implementation by States parties J - K 1
General comment No. 25 - Chapter V: General measures of implementation by States parties J - K 2 - Chapter VI: Civil rights and freedoms A
General comment No. 25 - Chapter V: General measures of implementation by States parties J - K 2 - Chapter VI: Civil rights and freedoms A
General comment No. 25 - Chapter VI: Civil rights and freedoms B - D
General comment No. 25 - Chapter VI: Civil rights and freedoms B - D
General comment No. 25 - Chapter VI: Civil rights and freedoms E 1
General comment No. 25 - Chapter VI: Civil rights and freedoms E 1
General comment No. 25 - Chapter VI: Civil rights and freedoms E 2 - F and Chapter VII: Violence against Children Part 1
General comment No. 25 - Chapter VI: Civil rights and freedoms E 2 - F and Chapter VII: Violence against Children Part 1
General comment No. 25 - Chapter VII: Violence against children, Part 2 and chapter VIII: Family environment and alternative care
General comment No. 25 - Chapter VII: Violence against children, Part. 2 and chapter VIII: Family environment and alternative care
General comment No. 25 - Chapter IX: Children with disabilities and chapter X: Health and welfare
General comment No. 25 - Chapter IX: Children with disabilities and chapter X: Health and welfare
General comment No. 25 - Chapter XII: Special protection measures
General comment No. 25 - Chapter XII: Special protection measures
EU Strategy on the Right’s of the Child - Fact Sheet
The European Commission has developed a new strategy to protect children’s rights
EU Strategy on the Right’s of the Child
The European Commission has developed a new strategy to protect children’s rights.
General Comment No. 25 (2021) on Children’s Rights in Relation to the Digital Environment
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has published a General Comment on children’s rights in relation to the digital environment.
Explanatory Notes on the General Comment No. 25 (2021) on Children’s Rights in Relation to the Digital Environment
Explanatory Notes on the General Comment No. 25 (2021) on Children’s Rights in Relation to the Digital Environment.
General comment draft on children’s rights in relation to the digital environment
by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
The Committee on the Rights of the Child is currently drafting a general comment on children’s rights in relation to the digital environment. The draft of the general comment can be found here.
Guidelines to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of the child in the digital environment
Council of Europe, Europarat
The guidelines to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of the child in the digital environment were adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 4 July 2018. The purpose of the guidelines is to assist states and other relevant stakeholders in their efforts to adopt a comprehensive, strategic approach in building and containing the often complex world of the digital environment.
October 2012Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
European Union, Europäische Union
The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union enshrines certain political, social, and economic rights for EU citizens and residents into EU law.
Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers on the rights of the child in the digital environment
Council of Europe, Europarat
How to better respect, protect and fulfil the rights of the child in the digital environment is at the core of the new Recommendation adopted today by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. Building on international and European legal instruments, the text provides comprehensive guidelines for action by European governments. The digital environment shapes children’s lives in many ways, creating opportunities and risks to their well-being and enjoyment of human rights. Governments are recommended to review their legislation, policies and practices to ensure that these adequately address the full range of the rights of the child. States should also ensure that business enterprises and other key partners meet their human rights responsibilities and are held accountable in case of abuses.
Additional content for: Internet Governance | Internet Policy | UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
continue reading- March 2016
Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2016-2021)
Council of Europe
Since launching the Programme "Building a Europe for and with children", in Monaco in 2006, the Council of Europe has implemented strategies over a series of policy cycles to guide its work on children’s rights.
