Child participation online: policymaking with children | IGF 2023 Open Forum #86

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The analysis emphasises the importance of actively involving children in decision-making processes and policy development, particularly in the area of online safety. The Convention on the Rights of the Child recognises and upholds children’s right to freely express their views.

The speakers in the analysis highlight that by involving children, policymakers can tap into their creativity, skills, and unique understanding, leading to more effective and tailored policies and programs.

It is crucial to consider that children interact with digital technology in ways that differ greatly from adults.

Therefore, their perspectives and experiences must be taken into account when formulating policies and programmes related to online safety. Including children’s insights allows policymakers to gain a better understanding of their needs, enabling the creation of more relevant and effective guidelines.

Several supporting facts demonstrate the benefits of involving children in decision-making processes and policy development.

The Committee on the Rights of the Child proposes nine basic requirements for effective child participation, including transparency, voluntariness, respect, child-friendly approaches, inclusivity, support through training, safety considerations, and accountability.

Examples from Tunisia and the Philippines illustrate how children’s voices have helped shape national plans and legislation.

In Tunisia, children’s voices played a crucial role in formulating the National Plan of Action on Child Online Protection. By consulting with children, policymakers were able to gain valuable insights and develop a plan that truly addressed their concerns and needs.

Similarly, in the Philippines, consultations with children informed the development of a new national plan of action on children’s issues and other legislative instruments.

The analysis also highlights that involving children in decision-making requires careful planning, allocation of resources, and adequate training.

In the consultations held in the Philippines, young adults from the communities acted as facilitators, ensuring that children felt comfortable and supported. Additionally, programming for parents and caregivers was implemented, and an emergency response plan was in place to safeguard children in case of any disclosures.

To conclude, actively involving children in discussions and decision-making processes is essential for developing effective policies, particularly in areas like online safety.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child recognises their right to express their views, and involving them leverages their unique perspectives and understanding. Transparency, respect, inclusivity, and accountability are all key elements for successful child participation. Examples from Tunisia and the Philippines highlight how children’s voices can shape national plans and legislation.

However, it is important to note that involving children in decision-making requires careful planning, allocation of resources, and adequate training to ensure meaningful and impactful participation.

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Children’s meaningful participation in the design of services and online safety interventions is considered crucial. The drafting of the UNCRC General Comment 25, which focuses on children’s rights in relation to the digital environment, was informed by consultations with children in 27 countries globally.

This approach ensured that the key issues reflected not only the perspectives of adults but also the lived experiences of children themselves.

The International Telecommunications Union has taken steps towards promoting online safety by developing an online safety app, game, and trainings for three different age groups of children.

What sets these initiatives apart is the involvement of a children’s advisory group, ensuring that the voice of children contributes to the creation of these tools.

To further support children’s participation, Amanda led the establishment of national child task forces in five countries.

These task forces serve as guides for the government’s approach to online safety policy, emphasizing the importance of involving young people in crafting policies that directly affect them.

Youth participation in policy-making is highly valued and encouraged.

Amanda suggests that shadowing decision-makers could enhance children’s influence in shaping online safety policies. Additionally, Amanda proposes that organizations’ platforms should actively seek young people’s input in a daily, approachable manner. This ongoing, real-time conversation would allow organizations to better understand children’s needs and preferences.

A notable finding from the consultations conducted in 27 countries is that children expressed their desire for improved online protections and data security.

This highlights the importance of addressing these concerns to ensure a safe digital environment for children.

It is worth mentioning that attempting to restrict children’s online activities without considering their input can often lead them to find ways to circumvent such systems.

Therefore, involving children in the decision-making process can lead to more effective and sustainable solutions, as children become active participants rather than passive subjects.

In conclusion, the engagement and participation of children in the design of services and online safety interventions are crucial.

Through consultations, the UNCRC General Comment 25 incorporates children’s perspectives, ensuring that their unique experiences are reflected. Initiatives such as the online safety app and the establishment of national child task forces further demonstrate the commitment to involving children in shaping online safety policies.

Encouraging youth participation and seeking their input in an ongoing manner will create an environment that better meets children’s online safety needs. By addressing their desires for better protection and data security, we can foster a digital environment that is safe and supportive for children.

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The articles analysed cover a range of topics related to youth engagement and online safety. One article explores the effectiveness and necessity of age verification systems online. It discusses Marie Stella’s investigation into the opinions of youth and children regarding age verification.

Stella found that, while adults haven’t found a perfect solution, the issue still needs attention.

Another article focuses on the opinions of young people regarding age verification. It raises the question of whether awareness-raising education alone is enough to prevent access to harmful online content.

This article emphasises the importance of further examination and dialogue within the context of quality education and strong institutions.

The third article highlights the importance of engaging companies in child participation, particularly in areas with restricted democratic participation.

It discusses how companies can contribute to the design and decision-making processes that affect children. While Microsoft is suggested as a potential partner, other companies are also encouraged to get involved. This article emphasises the role of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) in promoting child participation.

The fourth article stresses the need to develop convincing strategies to engage companies in child participation.

It emphasises the importance of partnership for the goals and industry innovation and infrastructure, as outlined in SDG 17 and SDG 9. Microsoft is suggested as a possible partner, but other companies are also welcomed.

In conclusion, the articles highlight the importance of addressing these issues to ensure the online safety and well-being of young people.

They emphasise the need to explore effective age verification systems, consider youth opinions, and promote awareness-raising education. Engaging companies in child participation and developing convincing strategies are also seen as vital. These discussions align with various Sustainable Development Goals, such as SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).

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The analysis highlights the positive and impactful role played by youth in addressing various pressing issues. One notable example is the development of the Bully Blocker app by a group of teenagers, which aims to combat cyberbullying. This app demonstrates how youth-led initiatives can effectively address societal challenges, particularly in the realm of online safety.

Another inspiring initiative is the creation of an online fake shop by a Polish high school student, intended to assist domestic abuse victims during the virus lockdown period. These examples exemplify the creative and innovative solutions that young people bring to complex problems.

Furthermore, the analysis emphasizes the importance of involving youth in decision-making processes regarding their own issues.

It argues that discussions on how to support children often lack the direct participation of children themselves. However, in order to create valuable actions and solutions, it is essential to include youth input. The presence of youth-led advisory boards is acknowledged, but it is stressed that following through on their advice is crucial to ensure meaningful outcomes.

In terms of online safety, the analysis recommends government representatives apply for the ITU In-Country National Child Safety Assessment.

This assessment provides a comprehensive understanding of the existing situation of children’s online safety and aids in drafting national strategies and action plans that incorporate global best practices. It is argued that such assessments can enhance national policies, standards, and mechanisms to protect children in the digital realm.

Additionally, the analysis highlights the importance of local adaptations of global strategies, as local cultural, social, and regulatory differences impact the effectiveness of online safety measures.

The analysis also addresses the issue of children encountering adult or abusive content unwillingly on the internet.

It argues that children do not want content that is not intended for them in their online spaces, emphasizing the need for adults to implement protections to prevent children from accessing inappropriate material. It acknowledges that the internet and its content were not specifically created for children and therefore, proactive measures are necessary to safeguard their online experiences.

Furthermore, the analysis recognizes that age verification poses a significant challenge in ensuring online child safety.

However, it suggests that with children’s input, a solution can be achieved. It is concluded that working collaboratively with children and implementing their perspectives and ideas can lead to more effective and comprehensive measures to protect them online.

Overall, the analysis highlights the important contributions of youth in tackling critical issues, the need to involve them in decision-making processes, the recommendation for government action in enhancing online safety, and the significance of age verification in protecting children online.

By considering these insights and recommendations, society can better empower and protect the younger generation in an increasingly digital world.

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The digital environment, although not originally designed for children, has a significant impact on their rights and potential. The policies of technology providers play a crucial role in shaping this impact. It is important to transition from a mode of protection to empowering youth voices.

For example, Microsoft has a long-standing commitment to children’s online safety. They recognize the need to understand how children use technology in order to better design it. One way they have addressed this is through their gaming platform, where they introduced ‘Home Sweet Hmm’ to promote online safety.

The argument put forth is that children learn through play, highlighting the role of educational gaming in their development.

Microsoft’s ownership of a gaming platform further emphasizes their involvement in promoting learning through play and fostering a safe digital environment for children.

Regarding product development, it is crucial to engage children in the process. Microsoft has convened three councils for digital good, where children aged 13 to 17 have provided valuable feedback on their services and apps.

This demonstrates Microsoft’s commitment to involving children and incorporating their perspectives in the development of their products.

The potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is also highlighted, particularly its positive impact when used responsibly. The argument suggests that AI has the ability to do good, though responsible use is key to ensuring positive outcomes.

The summary also emphasizes the importance of incorporating children’s online behavior into policy-making.

This reflects the need to understand how children ask for help online and to consider their experiences when shaping policies related to child safety and well-being.

Microsoft’s approach to child participation is noted, as they leverage existing organizations to engage children in product safety and design.

They have previously convened Councils for Digital Good, collaborating with NGOs and academia to gather information and stimulate conversations on these issues.

Finally, the argument is made that children’s voices should influence both company rules and regulatory/legal rules.

Microsoft actively involves their child participants in direct interactions with regulators, demonstrating their belief in the importance of children’s influence at various levels of decision-making.

In conclusion, the expanded summary outlines the significance of the digital environment on children’s rights and potential, the importance of empowering youth voices, the role of play and education in their development, engaging children in product development, responsible use of AI, integrating children’s online behavior into policy-making, and Microsoft’s efforts to involve children in shaping rules and regulations.

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The Protection Through Online Participation (POP) initiative aims to provide a safe online space for children and youth to access protection support. It emphasizes the importance of peer-to-peer support and encourages children-led solutions and initiatives. Hillary Bakrie, a supporter of POP, believes that the internet can be a valuable tool for young people to seek support and highlights the value they place on peer-created solutions.

Young people also desire to be included as partners in decision-making processes, particularly regarding online safety and cybersecurity. This inclusive approach ensures that policies and measures are effective and relevant to their needs. To enable effective youth participation, addressing the digital divide and investing in education and skills are essential.

Transparency, accessibility, and the recognition of young people’s contributions in policy-making processes are also emphasized. Overall, POP and its supporters advocate for an empowering online environment that values the expertise and experiences of young people.

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The discussion focused on the importance of child participation in policymaking, particularly in the context of online safety. Participants highlighted the significance of involving children in discussions and considering their rights in the digital environment. It was stressed that children have a unique understanding of their experiences online, and their perspectives should be taken into account when designing policies and interventions.
The Child Online Protection Initiative (COP) and ITU’s role in implementing guidelines for child safety online were mentioned as important efforts in this area.

COP aims to facilitate the sharing of challenges and best practices among member states. The ITU has been co-leading the initiative, providing support to countries in implementing the guidelines.
The discussion noted that the involvement of children in policymaking can help ensure that their views and experiences are considered, leading to more effective and relevant policies and programs that address the specific needs of young users.
The role of Microsoft in promoting child online safety was also highlighted.

Microsoft has a longstanding commitment to this issue and has developed a suite of products and services that intersect with children’s online lives. The company engages in conversations with young people to understand their needs and enhance the way they interact with technology.
Examples from Tunisia and the Philippines showcased the value of children’s input in shaping national action plans and legislative instruments related to online safety.

In Tunisia, consultations with children helped shape the first-ever National Plan of Action on Child Online Protection. In the Philippines, involving children in consultations contributed to the formation of national action plans.
The ITU In-Country National Assessment was proposed as a valuable resource for governments to improve child safety online.

By conducting a comprehensive assessment of the existing situation and developing a strategy and action plan based on global best practices, countries can enhance their policies, standards, and mechanisms.
Overall, the discussion highlighted the importance of involving children in policymaking and designing online safety interventions.

Children’s participation ensures that their perspectives are taken into account, leading to more effective and relevant policies and programs. The involvement of youth in decision-making processes was also stressed, emphasizing the need for an inclusive approach that reflects the realities and aspirations of young people.

The discussion recognised the value of partnerships between stakeholders, such as the ITU, Microsoft, and governments, in promoting child online safety.