• 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

[Translate to Englisch:] Ansicht: Stellungnahme zum Jugendmedienschutz-Staatsvertrag

Consultation on the Interstate Treaty on the Protection of Minors in Broadcasting and in Telemedia

In spring 2022, the federal states initiated a reform of the Interstate Treaty on the Protection of Minors in Broadcasting and in Telemedia and submitted their proposal for a new version for discussion.

[Translate to Englisch:] Ansicht: Schieb deine Verantwortung nicht weg

Don't push away your responsibility

After the "Don't push your thoughts away" campaign launched in November 2022 reached 21 million people online and 18 million via TV, the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) and the Independent Commissioner for Child Sexual Abuse Issues (UBSKM) presented its sequel in a Berlin cinema on 13 November.

[Translate to Englisch:] Ansicht: Kinderschutz vor sexueller Gewalt dauerhaft verwirklichen

Children's rights organisations call for stronger measures to protect children from sexual abuse

Negotiations on the European Commission's proposal to prevent and combat sexual abuse of children on the internet are continuing in both the European…

[Translate to Englisch:] Ansicht: Wie beeinflussen Angebotsgestaltungen das Medienhandeln junger Menschen?

How do platform designs influence young people's media behavior?

Summary of the study "Dark Patterns and Digital Nudging in Social Media - How Do Platforms Hinder Self-Determined Media Action?"

[Translate to Englisch:] Ansicht: Zeit für Kinderrechte

Time for children's rights

On the third day of the Internet Governance Forum in Kyoto, Japan, many events were focused on children's rights. Topics included how to develop technologies that promote the well-being of young people, how young people can get involved and participate in decision-making, and how their data can be protected and handled responsibly.

[Translate to Englisch:] Ansicht: Sind wir auf dem richtigen Weg, um Kinderrechte bei der Internet Governance zu berücksichtigen?

Are we on the right paths to address children’s issues in Internet Governance?

Debates on Day 2 at the Internet Governance Forum addressed in various way issues of children’s rights to protection, provision and participation.

[Translate to Englisch:] Ansicht: IGF 2023: Rechte von Kindern und Jugendlichen

IGF 2023: Children’s and young people’s rights

The 18th Internet Governance Forum (IGF) meeting will be hosted by the Government of Japan in Kyoto in a hybrid format from 8 to 12 October 2023. We have put together a list of the sessions that will cover aspects of children and young people growing up in a digital environment.

[Translate to Englisch:] Ansicht: Digitale Nachhaltigkeit im Fokus

Focus on digital sustainability

In mid-September, the Internet Governance Forum Germany (IGF-D) will take place for the 14th time.

Enforcing children's rights in digital services

The BMDV has presented a bill for the implementation of the DSA and asked for comments. The Digital Opportunities Foundation welcomes the planned establishment of an independent authority for the enforcement of children's rights in digital services as well as the intended establishment of an advisory board to advise and accompany the work of the Digital Services Coordinator. This should include a children's rights representative. In addition, opportunities for participation that are lost in the future must be compensated for by new opportunities for participation.

[Translate to Englisch:] Ansicht: Eine kinderrechtliche Perspektive auf die Begrenzung der Bildschirmzeit von Kindern und Jugendlichen

Crafting of the Code of Conduct on age-appropriate design kicks off

The Special Group for the development of a Code of Conduct for age-appropriate design convenes for its first meeting on July 13, 2023 and started its activities. An important step under the Better Internet for Kids Strategy (BIK+)