Session
Organizer 1: Godsway Kubi, iWorld Tech Hub
Organizer 2: Raymond Selorm Mamattah, 🔒E-Governance and Internet Governance Foundation for Africa (EGIGFA)
Organizer 3: Abdullah Qamar, ssh
Speaker 1: Godsway Kubi, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 2: Raymond Selorm Mamattah, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 3: Abdullah Qamar, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Godsway Kubi, Civil Society, African Group
Godsway Kubi, Civil Society, African Group
Abdullah Qamar, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Classroom
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: The classroom layout and 90-minute duration are ideal for facilitating interactive discussions, presentations, and group activities essential for exploring the multifaceted topic of child online protection. The classroom setting fosters a conducive environment for engagement and collaboration among participants, allowing for dynamic exchanges of ideas and experiences. With a longer duration of 90 minutes, we can delve deeper into complex issues, accommodate multiple speakers or panelists, and provide sufficient time for audience interaction and Q&A sessions. This format enables us to cover a range of topics comprehensively while ensuring that participants have ample opportunity to contribute, learn, and reflect on the session's themes and objectives.
1. How can policymakers effectively balance the imperative to protect children from online risks with the need to uphold their rights to privacy and access to information in the digital realm?
2. What collaborative governance mechanisms are necessary to develop comprehensive and rights-based approaches to child online protection that involve stakeholders from government, industry, civil society, and academia?
3. In what ways can technological innovations, such as AI-driven content moderation tools and age verification mechanisms, be ethically and effectively integrated into regulatory frameworks to enhance child safety online while minimizing potential risks to privacy and freedom of expression?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants will gain valuable insights into innovative approaches and best practices for balancing risks and rights in child online protection. They will learn about concrete strategies for assessing and mitigating online risks, promoting digital literacy and responsible behavior among children and youth, leveraging technology for enhanced safety, and navigating policy considerations. Attendees will also benefit from engaging with experts and practitioners, exchanging knowledge and experiences, and exploring opportunities for collaboration. Ultimately, participants will leave the session with actionable ideas and tools to strengthen their efforts in safeguarding children's well-being in the digital environment.
Description:
The session will be led by ISOC Online Safety SIG. This workshop proposes an exploration of innovative strategies and best practices for navigating the complex landscape of child online protection, with a focus on balancing risks and rights. As the internet becomes increasingly integral to children's lives, ensuring their safety online while respecting their rights to privacy, freedom of expression, and access to information presents a multifaceted challenge.
The session will delve into concrete examples of innovative solutions, including technological tools, educational initiatives, policy frameworks, and multi-stakeholder collaborations. Participants will hear from experts and practitioners who have implemented successful interventions aimed at mitigating risks such as cyberbullying, online harassment, exposure to inappropriate content, and exploitation, while promoting positive digital citizenship and empowerment.
Key topics to be addressed include:
1. Effective approaches to risk assessment and mitigation in child online protection.
2. Strategies for promoting digital literacy and responsible online behavior among children and youth.
3. The role of technology in enhancing child safety online, including content filtering, parental controls, and age verification mechanisms.
4. Policy considerations for balancing children's rights to privacy, freedom of expression, and protection from harm.
5. The importance of multi-stakeholder cooperation in developing comprehensive and sustainable solutions.
Through interactive discussions, case studies, and knowledge-sharing sessions, participants will gain insights into actionable strategies and lessons learned from real-world implementations. The workshop will emphasize the importance of holistic approaches that recognize the interconnectedness of technical, social, and policy dimensions in addressing the complex challenges of child online protection.
By showcasing innovative solutions and fostering cross-sectoral dialogue, this session aims to contribute to the development of effective, rights-based approaches to promoting the safety and well-being of children in the digital age.
1. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the complex challenges surrounding child online protection and the importance of balancing risks and rights in this context.
2. The session will facilitate the sharing of innovative solutions and best practices from diverse stakeholders, providing valuable insights into effective strategies for promoting child safety online.
3. Through constructive dialogue and debate, the session will generate policy recommendations aimed at informing the development of rights-based approaches to child online protection. These recommendations may contribute to ongoing policy discussions at national, regional, and international levels.
4. The session will foster knowledge exchange and networking among participants, paving the way for potential collaborations and future initiatives in the field of child online protection.
5. The session may lead to the development of publications, collaborative projects, or follow-up events aimed at further advancing the agenda of child online protection and rights in the digital age.
Hybrid Format: The onsite moderator will facilitate discussions and ensure that both onsite and online speakers have equal opportunities to contribute. We will also manage audience participation, including fielding questions from both onsite and online attendees.
We will leverage the technical tools provided by the IGF Secretariat and the Host Country, such as Zoom, to enable seamless connectivity and video participation for online speakers and attendees. This includes testing connectivity and video capabilities well in advance of the session.
We will encourage active participation from both onsite and online attendees through interactive elements such as live polls, chat discussions, and Q&A sessions. Online attendees will be given equal opportunities to ask questions and share insights, with the onsite moderator ensuring their voices are heard.