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.

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.

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

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has issued a new General Comment. This is dedicated to considering children's rights in the context of matters of sustainability, environmental protection and climate change.

Until October 20, the European Commission is conducting an online consultation procedure on the development and strengthening of an integrated child protection system.

This annual conference of the International Network Against Cyber Hate (INACH) will take place in Malaga, Spain, on October 5.

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.

A Eurobarometer survey shows that a majority of EU citizens support the draft regulation on preventing and combating child sexual abuse online.

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+)

An open letter in support of the European Commission’s draft regulation on preventing and combating child sexual abuse on the Internet can be signed. In addition, Lloyd Richardson refutes central arguments of scientists who oppose the regulation in a publication.

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.

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.