At the 86th session of the UN Committee, a document emphasizing the rights of every
child and their protection and respect in the digital environment were adopted. It has been over 30 years after the invention of the World Wide Web that such a document was laid out by the committee which includes ways in which the young people and children should be treated and their rights should be protected in the digital world. Children should have access to age-appropriate and empowering digital content from wide trusted sources.
Over 700 children and young people between 22- 27 years of age were consulted and asked
how their life and rights are impacted by digital technology and what actions they want to
see to protect their rights.
In order to protect children from misleading and harmful content, the Committee
recommended that State take strong measures including legislation. Children should be
protected from all forms of violence that happen in the digital environment, including child
trafficking, gender violence, cyber aggress, cyberattacks, and information warfare. Another
issue covered in the document is privacy and the use of data of children for business use. The privacy of children should be protected and parents should easily access and delete data stored by public authorities or private companies.
The Chairman of the Committee Luis Pedernera focused on the “digital divide” between those who have access to the internet and those who do not. He said that meaningful access to digital technologies empowers and supports children to realize their political, economical, cultural, civil, and social rights. If such technologies are available to few children then it would lead to greater inequalities and affects their future opportunities.