IGF 2025 Open Forum #28 Responsible Innovation in Technology for Children

The importance of Internet and digital technology in the lives of minors is increasingly prominent, bringing various opportunities as well as numerous challenges to their growth. How internet companies can fulfill their social responsibilities through technological innovation and better serve the vast number of minor users has become a focal point of social concern. In response to this concern and to promote responsible technological innovation by internet companies, the China Federation of Internet Societies, in collaboration with UNICEF and the Communication University of China, launched the "Responsible Technological Innovation for Minors" case study in 2024. After multiple rounds of review, five outstanding cases have been selected. These cases have achieved significant success in providing safer, healthier, and more beneficial products or services for minors. Sharing these successful experiences at this forum will help inspire the whole society's awareness of innovation and responsibility towards minors. This forum will mainly discuss the following issues and topics: 1. The importance and challenges of internet and AI-related science and technology in the lives of minors. Explore how emerging technologies profoundly impact the growth of minors, analyze the opportunities and challenges they bring, and emphasize the importance of balancing development and protection in technological innovation. 2. The social responsibility and technological innovation of internet companies. Discuss how internet companies can fulfill their social responsibilities through responsible technological innovation, provide safe, healthy, and beneficial products and services, and ensure the well-being of minor users. 3. Sharing and summarizing experiences from exemplary cases. By showcasing the selected outstanding cases, share their successful experiences in serving minors, set benchmarks for the industry, and promote more companies to adopt responsible technological innovation practices. Challenges and opportunities related to the topics of this forum: On one hand, the main challenges include risks to minors' privacy and data security, internet addiction and mental health issues, the spread of harmful information, the digital divide and fairness issues, and the balance of ethics and laws. Therefore, internet companies need to actively address these challenges through technological innovation and social collaboration, promote the establishment and improvement of industry standards, and create a healthy and safe online environment for minors while achieving a win-win situation for social value and corporate responsibility. On the other hand, internet technology, through innovative products and services, provides a safer, healthier, and more beneficial online environment for minors, such as content filtering, addiction prevention, and privacy protection through AI and big data technologies, thereby empowering minors' creativity, digital literacy, and educational equity. Additionally, responsible technological innovation by internet companies can not only fulfill social responsibilities but also enhance brand image and promote sustainable development. In summary, the application of internet-related science and technology in the lives of minors brings both opportunities for protection and development and challenges in privacy, mental health, and content safety. Through responsible technological innovation, internet companies can protect minors' rights while promoting social progress and industry development. The main agenda of the forum is as follows (60 Min): 1. 2 minutes: The host introduces the theme and purpose of the forum and the participating guests. 2. 10 minutes: A representative from the organizing unit or a child protection expert shares the latest research findings on responsible technological innovation for children. 3. 15 minutes: On-site guest speeches. Topics include but are not limited to: (1) Minors' online privacy and data security. (2) Internet excessive use and mental health. (3) Technological innovation and social responsibility. (4) Policies, regulations, and industry standards. 4. 10 minutes: Online guest speeches. Topics include but are not limited to: (1) Experiences and measures of well-known internet companies in different countries regarding responsible technological innovation for children. (2) Relevant standards, policies, or regulations in different countries or regions. 5. 10 minutes: Representative internet companies share their experiences and practices. 6. 8 minutes: Open discussion and Q&A: All participants, both on-site and online, have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss their views, and the guests will answer these questions. 7. 5 minutes: Summary speech: A representative from UNICEF delivers the closing remarks.

(1) As a hybrid forum, there are both onsite speakers and attendees, as well as online speakers and attendees. In order to attract more attendees, we will invite and encourage people to participate online through Zoom meeting software. The onsite and online moderators will closely cooperate and be responsible for activating the atmosphere of onsite and online discussions, respectively. The online moderator will collect online questions in a timely manner and convey them to the onsite moderator to ensure smooth communication between the onsite and online attendees. (2) Multiple volunteers will be arranged onsite for video filming to ensure that each speaker's speech video can be live streamed online through Zoom. The moderator and speakers onsite can see the online participants' questions in real-time through the LED screen on site. The online moderator interacts with online attendees, promptly pushing meaningful questions through the screen to the moderator or speakers onsite, and strictly controlling the speaking time to ensure the participation of each speaker and the progress of the forum. In addition, we will promote the forum in advance so that online participants can prepare questions and relevant materials in advance, which may facilitate more interesting discussions onsite. (3) The organizer will design and create graphic and textual links, promotional posters, etc. around the theme of the forum, and spread them through social media platforms such as WeChat, Twitter, and Facebook to attract more attendees and stimulate everyone's thinking in advance, creating an atmosphere of joint participation.