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Special protection
Children should be protected from all forms of exploitation prejudicial to any aspects of their welfare in relation to the digital environment.Exploitation may occur in many forms, such as economic exploitation, including child labour, sexual exploitation and abuse, the sale, trafficking and abduction of children and the recruitment of children to participate in criminal activities, including forms of cybercrime.
By creating and sharing content, children may be economic actors in the digital environment, which may result in their exploitation.
Focus
06.09.23Survey on the protection of children
Torsten Krause, SDC
The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) are jointly conducting an online-based survey on the protection of children from violence.
29.08.23EU consultation on child protection
Torsten Krause, SDC
Until October 20, the European Commission is conducting an online consultation procedure on the development and strengthening of an integrated child protection system.
26.06.23Studies reveal extent of sexual violence against children
Torsten Krause, SDC
Two current studies reveal an increase in sexualized violence in the digital environment. It is clear that users of digital services unintentionally come across sexual violence online at a young age and are thus either harmed themselves or have a potential tendency to become perpetrators themselves. Both consequences must be counteracted by prevention and deletion of such content.
05.04.23How to combat sexualised violence: A child rights perspective!
Torsten Krause, SDC
ECPAT Germany, Innocence in Danger, the German Children's Fund and the Digital Opportunities Foundation presented their position on the EU draft regulation in a digital press conference on 4 April. In their joint statement, which is based on the questionnaire of the Digital Committee of the German Bundestag, the organisations explain in detail how the protection of children from sexualised violence online and the right to privacy of all users in the digital environment can be realised.
- 04.04.23
IGF 2023 Call for Session Proposals
Marlene Fasolt, SDC
Stakeholders are invited to submit proposals to organize various types of sessions at the Internet Governance Forum until May 19, 2023 at 23:59 UTC
Scientific studies
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.
Exploring effective prevention education responses to dangerous online challenges
This report on dangerous challenges was authored by Dr Zoe Hilton (Praesidio Safeguarding) with contributions from Professor Gretchen Brion-Meisels and Dr Richard Graham.
The report has been written in consultation with an expert steering group and we would like to thank them for their expert advice and input into this report: Ximena Díaz Alarcón, Professor Amanda Third, Fabiana Vasconcelos, Jutta Croll, Dr. Maura Manca, Anne Collier, Diena Haryana, Karl Hopwood, Stephen Balkam, Linh Phuong Nguyen, Daniela Calvillo Angulo, and Dr. Najla Alnaqbi.
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.
Children´s Rights in the German Business Activities
Deutsches Global Compact Netzwerk und Deutsches Komitee für UNICEF e. V.
The rights of children comprise much more areas than child labour in the supply chain, such as family friendly workplaces, product security or marketing. Within the first Germany-wide study on the topic “Children´s Rights in the German Business Activities” 485 companies have been contacted and 100 companies examined with a desktop study.
The Intelligent Risk Management Model
Centre for Child Protection on the Internet, I-KiZ - Zentrum für Kinderschutz im Internet
Based on the findings of the HBI, the I-KiZ works with an Intelligent Risk Management model for youth media protection. The model consists of an age-related concept designed both to avoid confronting children with harmful content and contacts, and to promote strategies to counter and deal with the same.
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
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).
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.
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.
January 2016Terminology Guidelines for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse
ECPAT International, ECPAT Germany
The Terminology Guidelines provide guidance for the understanding and use of terms and concepts for individuals and agencies working for the prevention and elimination of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children.
January 2002Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
The Optional Protocol is a supplement to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and obliges all signatory parties to prohibit the sale of children, child prostitution and depiction of sexual abuse of children (so-called child pornography).
October 2019Guidelines for the Implementation of the Optional Protocol CRC/C/156
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
The Guidelines adapt the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol to today's (digital) environment.
White Paper on Online Harms
britische Regierung, Staatssekretär für Digital, Kultur, Medien und Sport
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.
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
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The Declaration of Rome
Pontificia Universita Gregoriana; World Congress: Child Dignity in the Digital World
From 3rd to 6th of October 2017 the Child Dignity World Congress took place at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome. Among the 30 speakers at the congress was Jutta Croll, representing the project „Children’s Rights and Child protection“ at Stiftung Digitale Chancen. In a concluding audience the „Declaration of Rome“ was presented to Pope Francis by the congress participants, appealing governments, industry and the civil society to stand up for the protection of the rights and the dignity of children.
- May 2011
Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence
Convention No. 210; Istanbul
Council of Europe
This new landmark treaty of the Council of Europe opens the path for creating a legal framework at pan-European level to protect women against all forms of violence, and prevent, prosecute and eliminate violence against women and domestic violence. The definition of “women” includes girls under the age of 18.
- October 2007
Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse
Convention No. 201; Lanzarote
Council of Europe, Europarat
This Convention is the first instrument to establish the various forms of sexual abuse of children as criminal offences, including such abuse committed in the home or family, with the use of force, coercion or threats.
- November 2001
Convention on Cybercrime
ETS No 185; Budapest
Council of Europe, Europarat
The Convention is the first international treaty on crimes committed via the Internet and other computer networks, dealing particularly with infringements of copyright, computer-related fraud, child pornography and violations of network security. It also contains a series of powers and procedures such as the search of computer networks and interception.
