• Topic

    Civil rights and freedoms

    The digital environment provides unique opportunities for children to realize the right to access to information and freedom of expression. The digital environment can enable children to form their social, religious, cultural, ethnic, sexual and political identities and to participate in associated communities and in public spaces for deliberation, cultural exchange, social cohesion and diversity.

    The fulfilment of these rights must be ensured and the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience and religion in the digital environment must be respected. Privacy is vital to children’s agency, dignity and safety and for the exercise of their rights.

    Children’s personal data are processed to offer educational, health and other benefits to them. Therefore, it must be ensured by legislative, administrative and other measures that children’s privacy is respected and protected by all organizations and in all environments that process their data.

    By use of digital identification systems that enable all newborn children to have their birth registered and officially recognized by the national authorities, access to services, including health, education and welfare shall be facilitated.

Current News

Personal Integrity: Thinking beyond the protection of minors

On 10 September, the Internet Governance Forum Germany (IGF-D) met in Berlin to discuss current issues and developments in the governance and regulation of the internet. Under this year's motto, ‘Trust, Responsibility, Networking: Internet Governance in Uncertain Times,’ representatives from the fields of politics, business, technology, civil society, science and research, as well as youth, met in their national structure (NRI)to reflect on relevant aspects from a German perspective.

[Translate to Englisch:]

An open letter to the European Commission: Strengthening Children's Rights in the Digital Sphere

18 organizations and experts, including members of the European Parliament (MEP) and the EP Intergroup on Children's Rights, have jointly addressed an open letter to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on the occasion of the State of Union speech. In the letter, they call for a renewal and strengthening of the commitment to protecting and enforcing children's rights through the effective implementation of EU regulations in the digital sphere by the European Commission.

UN Hosts Informal Stakeholder Consultation as Part of WSIS+20 Review-Prozess

Today, July 29th, 2025 an informal stakeholder consultation was held by the United Nations within the Word Summit of Information Society – WSIS + 20 review process.

[Translate to Englisch:]

We need to talk – with the children! New approaches to regulation in youth media protection

On the second and third days of TrustCon, the focus was on procedures for assessing the impact on children's rights (Child Rights Impact Assessment) and regulatory sandboxes.

It’s all about Children!

We are the new kids on the block taking part for the first time in TrustCon, an international conference on trust and safety in the digital world. And we are excited how prominently children’s best interest in the digital environment features among this highly technology oriented crowd.

The Future of Multistakeholderism, what role do Children’s rights play in this regard?

The final day of the IGF 2025 was all about multistakeholderism. As the IGF is the only global platform that enables individuals and organisations from around the world to raise issues related to the internet, it is praised for its lively discussions, which are informed by the participants expertise. However, it is also criticised for failing to deliver tangible outcomes and results.

[Translate to :]

The Future of Multistakeholderism, what role do Children’s rights play in this regard?

The final day of the IGF 2025 was all about multistakeholderism. As the IGF is the only global platform that enables individuals and organisations…

Stand up for children's rights and a better and fairer future!

Children's rights took center stage in the Plenary Hall of the Internet Governance Forum today. Further details are provided on the following sessions: "Securing Child Safety in the Age of Algorithms" and "Elevating Children's Voices in AI Design".

[Translate to Englisch:]

PROTECTION of children is written in capitals today!

Although the rights of children to protection, provision and participation are all equally important and should not be prioritised over each other, sessions on the second day of the 2025 IGF put a strong focus on child protection.

[Translate to :]

Working together for a safer digital environment

On Tuesday, the 20th United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) officially opened in Lillestrøm, Norway. Under the motto 'Shaping and governing the digital environment together', the internet community from the fields of politics, business, science and civil society is coming together this year to discuss aspects of trust and resilience, sustainable and responsible innovation, universal access and digital rights, and the design of digital cooperation.