This report shows that children and young people have valuable things to say about their experiences on social media, dealing with risks and harms online, and trying to figure out how to balance screen time better. This consultation shows the depth of insight young people bring to these discussions, and we’re excited to highlight some of the findings that stood out to us.
The report shows how the three pillars of the BIK+ strategy resonate strongly with children and young people:
Staying safe online: Online safety remains a top priority for many children and young people. Par ticipants identified several challenges, including harmful content, mental health impacts, privacy concerns, monetisation, online scams, and fake news. Many participants expressed frustration that their rights were more often violated online or that enforcement was lacking. They felt a lack of re spect from others online and call for policymakers to create safer online environments.
Learning the right skills: Children and young people strongly ask for better education to help them navigate the digital world safely and confidently. They call for schools to dedicate more time to on line safety, media literacy, and responsible technology use. Many participants also recognised the importance of equipping themselves with strategies to manage harmful content, identify potential risks, and build resilience against negative experiences. These skills are essential for their well-be ing in an increasingly digitised world.
Having a voice: Children and young people like to be included in discussions about their digital lives, and emphasise the importance of having a seat at the table when decisions are made. Wheth er it’s policymakers, tech companies, parents, or schools, young people want their perspectives to be taken seriously. Participants shared many ideas about how they could contribute to these processes.
The full report is available for download.