Session
Description of the Session
The international vision for online conditions for children is crystal clear: the rights of every child must be respected, protected and fulfilled in the digital environment, and children should have access to age-appropriate and empowering digital content, and information from a wide diversity of trusted sources[1]. However, the reality is different. It is reported that around two-thirds of world’s school-aged children – 1.3 billion children aged 3-17 – do not have Internet connection in their homes[2]. However, those that are connected, do not necessarily only benefit from the Internet. They are exposed to various dangerous risks. For example, the statistics confirm that more than a third of young people in 30 countries reported being cyberbullied, while some 80 % of children in 25 countries report feeling in danger of sexual abuse or exploitation online[3]. In addition, we lack effective mechanisms for children to access any online platform and share their data.
Through the practices of multistakeholder communities gathered around the NRIs, this session will explore local realities related to the following aspects:
- How do we create a safe space for children online?
- How do we ensure rights and freedoms of children are respected online, including data privacy?
- What are the expected frameworks regarding national strategy formation to ensure every child is protected in the online environment?
- Could the technical communities have a specific role in respect to creating safety for children online?
Relation to SDGs
- 4. Quality Education
- 9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- 16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Access to the Internet is a long-standing recognized accelerator of sustainable development and achieving the SDGs. However, it is of utmost importance to ensure everyone is connected to the Internet and equipped with the skills and resources to meaningfully use it. Most of all, we must ensure the Internet is governed through an effective and acceptable to all mechanism, respective to people’s freedoms and rights.
Name(s), Organizational Affiliation(s), Stakeholder and Regional Group of Speaker(s)
The speakers are being delegated by the multistakeholder organizing committees of the NRIs.
- Ms. Diana Kos, high-school student from Slovenia, member of Microsoft Council for Digital Good
- Chad IGF, Mr. Abdeldjalil Bachar Bong
- China IGF, Ms. Haiyan GU, General Manager of the Legal Affairs Department, Sina Group
- Nepal IGF, Mr. Babu Ram Aryal
- Nigeria IGF, Ms. Elizabeth Yisa, Principal Manager, Nigerian Communications commission (NCC)
- French IGF, Mr. Lucien Castex
Onsite Moderator
Ms. Fanny-Carlotta ROTINO, Programme Officer, Child Online Protection, International Telecommunication Union
Online Moderator
Ms. Zeina Bou Harb, Lebanon IGF
Rapporteur
Mr. Igonor Oshoke Samson, Program Manager, Nigeria IGF
Session Format
60 Min Round Table interactive discussion
Session Interaction and Participation in a Hybrid Meeting
A dedicated online moderator will be placed next to the onsite moderator. All participants will be using the online speaking queue to be treated equally in their requests for interventions. All input presentations will be made available on the IGF website and links will be shared via the online tool. The Zoom and in-room video will be inter-projected to foster a sense of community despite being in different locations.
[1] https://www.ohchr.org/en/treaty-bodies/crc
[2] https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1078872
[3] https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Cybersecurity/Documents/COP/20-00802_COP-Policy_Brief.pdf