The invention and proliferation of the internet, and the rise of online environments has undeniably impacted the lifestyle, behavior and development of the youth in modern society. Children have been spending more, and more of their time online interacting with a variety of digital spaces, for better or for worse. The open and anonymous nature of the internet exposes children to numerous risks. This can range from interacting with hateful, violent content, disinformation, the exposure of personal information, as well the serious concern over sexual exploitation or abuse. The United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) has long been concerned over this issue and has been working with governments and other organizations for a long time to help ensure not only the safety of the youth online, but also to protect their rights and privacy.
The internet is constantly changing, and while there are risks in its use, it is also important for the youth of today to have access to digital spaces and the capacity to change them in the future. There is no formal definition for youth, however, those under the age of 18 are considered children under international law. The UN Human Rights 75 Initiative uses an age range of 15-24 when discussing the youth. The Human Rights 75 Initiative identified education on the use and navigation of digital spaces as a major hurdle for youth interaction in digital spaces. Despite 79% of young people being aged 15-24 using the internet, that lack of formal education leaves them disadvantaged and vulnerable. Misinformation and manipulation are of particular concern for uneducated youth in digital spaces as they can harm development.
The sources of these risks vary from adults seeking to manipulate, other youth partaking in cyber-bullying, and even corporations which may breach privacy or design their spaces to promote excessive screentime. These sources may complicate the means by which the youth are protected. Some organizations such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) offer educational materials for parents and teachers to use, however, that is only one source and largely reliant on individuals to make use of their content.
The digital environment is increasingly important for interacting with the world. Digital spaces offer the means to communicate, organize, and learn. The internet is also a potential tool for the views of children to be made known to their governments. Those opportunities cannot be denied to the youth of today. The Human Rights Committee must work to balance proper protection and the ability of youth to impact change on and through digital spaces.
Focus Questions:
- Are there any existing frameworks for the rights of the youth?
- How can protection and access be balanced?
- How can the youth be empowered to use digital spaces?
Useful Links:
United Nations Global Issues Page: Child and Youth Safety Online
https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/child-and-youth-safety-online
UNICEF Article: Protecting and Prioritizing Children’s Rights and Safety in Digital Environments
https://www.unicef.org/innovation/stories/protecting-childrens-rights-in-digital-environments
HRC Resolution: Solutions to promote digital education for young people and to ensure their protection from online threats (A/HRC/57/28)
https://docs.un.org/en/A/HRC/57/28
