• Topic

    Special Protection

    Children should be protected from all forms of exploitation prejudicial to any aspects of their welfare in relation to the digital environment.Exploitation may occur in many forms, such as economic exploitation, including child labour, sexual exploitation and abuse, the sale, trafficking and abduction of children and the recruitment of children to participate in criminal activities, including forms of cybercrime.

    By creating and sharing content, children may be economic actors in the digital environment, which may result in their exploitation.

Current news

Considering children's rights in the domain name system

Over the past few days, the multi-stakeholder community has been discussing current issues relating to the further development and shaping of the Domain Name System at the ICANN 82 Community Forum in Seattle (USA).

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ICANN wants to develop human rights impact assessment

The multi-stakeholder community is meeting in Seattle (USA) at the ICANN 82 Community Forum to discuss current issues and developments to secure and further develop the Internet.

Study: EU Kids Online

The Interdisciplinary Research Team on Internet and Society (IRTIS) conducted 15 scientifically based studies over a period of six years. The research focused on the effects of digital technologies on the well-being of young people.

Young and social media savvy - new findings on media use among Europeans

Under the title “Media consumption habits of young people in Europe” the media habits of young people were discussed, delving into the implication of these habits for the competitiveness of the EU audiovisual industry, as well as the outlook for cultural diversity in European media.

Advice, support and technology against sexualised violence online

Children and young people encounter sexualised violence in various forms on the internet. Keeping them away from (allegedly) age-inappropriate content has been an ambivalent goal of youth media protection, which has been pursued with various measures since the beginning of the spread of the Internet. Today, the main aim is to effectively counter the risks that can arise from communication and exchange with other users.

Ansicht: Sonderberichterstatterin informiert sich über sexualisierte Gewalt an Kindern

Better protection against sexual abuse

On January 31, 2025, the German Bundestag passed the law to strengthen structures against sexual violence against children and adolescents. The law is intended to support structures that counteract sexual abuse against children.

Safer Internet Day 2025 – “No Likes for Lies”

Safer Internet Day (SID) is a global day of action to promote online safety and a better internet for children and young people. It is dedicated to a different theme every year and has been held on the Tuesday of the second week of February since 2004. Safer Internet Day will take place for the 22nd time on 11 February 2025.

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First BIK+ strategy evaluation: Open call for parents, caregivers, teachers, educators.

Two years after the adoption of the Better internet for Kids (BIK+) strategy (see also: child-friendly version), the European Commission is calling on parents, carers, teachers and educators to take part in the first evaluation since the adoption in May 2022. Click here to register and take part in the consultations!

From South to North with heavy tasks in the backpack

With a strong commitment to multistakeholderism and clear messages on harnessing innovation and balancing risks in the digital space the 19th edition of the United Nation’s Internet Governance Forum ended on Thursday, Dec. 19th 2024.

Age doesn't matter on the Internet – or does it?

Day 3 of the IGF 2024 was the day of the Dynamic Coalitions. They started with a main session focusing on the Coalitions contributions the implementation of the Global Digital Compact.