• Topic

    Education, leisure and cultural activities

    The digital environment can greatly enable and enhance children’s access to high-quality inclusive education, including reliable resources for formal, non-formal, informal, peer-to-peer and self-directed learning. Use of digital technologies can also strengthen engagement between the teacher and student and between learners.

    The digital environment promotes children’s right to culture, leisure and play, which is essential for their well-being and development. Children of all ages report that they experienced pleasure, interest and relaxation through engaging with a wide range of digital products and services of their choice.

Current News

European Commission: Survey on the Digital Fairness Act

The European Union wants children and teenagers to have safe and positive experiences when using apps, websites, games and social media, so it is creating a new law called the Digital Fairness Act. To help shape this law, the EU wants to hear from children and teenagers aged 12 to 17 about their experiences as consumers, including how apps and websites treat them when they choose, use or pay for things online. Your views will help make the digital world fairer for everyone your age.

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Human rights impact assessment is being incorporated into ICANN processes

From 7 to 12 March, the multi-stakeholder community gathered at the ICANN 85 Community Forum in Mumbai (India). Together, they discussed current issues and developments relating to the security and further advancement of the Internet. From the perspective of the “Child Protection and Children’s Rights in the Digital World” project run by the Digital Opportunities Foundation, the focus was on efforts to develop and implement a human rights impact assessment, as well as on the upcoming decision-making process regarding the handling of urgent requests in the context of the Registration Data Request Service (RDRS). In addition, the drafting of a Policy Development Process (PDP) for dealing with DNS abuse was a key priority.

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General comment No. 25 5th Anniversary Joint Letter

On the fifth anniversary of the adoption of General Comment No. 25 on children's rights in the digital environment, 53 organisations and signatories remind the States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child to realise children's rights on the internet and in digital services.

(c) IGF 2026

IGF 2026: Call for thematic input

From now until February 28, 2026, 23:59 (UTC), it is possible to submit thematic contributions that are to be given priority consideration at the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2026. Organisations and individuals can use a form to select topics that they feel are currently relevant to internet governance.

YOUthDIG 2026 – Call for applications!

Young people with an interest in digital issues are sought for YOUthDIG, which will take place in Brussels from May 23 to 27. In preliminary webinars, participants will address practical issues of internet governance and provide input for EuroDIG.

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Call for applications: Microsoft is looking for young people for the AI Futures Youth Council

With the opportunity to get involved in the development of AI products and policies, Microsoft is reaching out to young people between the ages of 13 and 17. The goal is to establish a youth council (AI Futures Youth Council) consisting of 20 members.

Policy brief: Keeping Children Safe Online

The Policy brief, published in December 2025, is based on a comparative analysis of regulatory provisions for online platforms in six different jurisdictions.

Guidance on AI and Children

The publication, released in December 2025, provides updated guidelines for governments and companies on creating AI policies and systems that protect children's rights.

Report: Children in digital policies

This report investigates how children are represented in digital policies around the

world. The focus is on global patterns and trends, as well as instances of good practice

Ansicht: 20. November 2017: Heute ist Internationaler Tag der Kinderrechte

Children should be at least 16 to access social media, say MEPs

On Wednesday, MEPs adopted a non-legislative report by 483 votes in favour, 92 against and with 86 abstentions, expressing deep concern over the physical and mental health risks minors face online and calling for stronger protection against the manipulative strategies that can increase addiction and that are detrimental to children’s ability to concentrate and engage healthily with online content.