Topic: 2026 – Digital Equity for Children
Country: France
Delegate Name: Siddaly Sykes
Committee: UNICEF
Delegation: France
Name: Siddaly Sykes
Digital Equity for Children
Over the past several decades, the internet has become an increasingly integral part of most people’s lives. More than 2/3 of the world’s population are online, and as more people become connected, the age in which individuals are first introduced to the internet gets younger. As the digital world has progressed, the issue of internet access and digital security has transformed. Now, not only must we address the gap between individuals who have material access to devices and actual technologies, but we must also understand that just because a child has internet access does not mean they are digitally literate, and this has proved to be a huge factor of division between children in the digital age. Barriers causing digital illiteracy stem from two distinct categories, material and social. Material barriers are tangible, students who do not have access to devices, who live in isolated rural areas, and who cannot afford internet access all cannot physically become digitally literate without internet access. Social barriers however are more complex. Factors such as language, culture, disabilities, and gender are all reasons why an individual might not be digitally literate, even if they have access to devices and services (Advancing). his gap between digitally literate versus digitally illiterate children proves to be a major issue, that will only worsen as we depend more on the internet. Digitally illiterate children are at an automatic disadvantage in terms of education and employment, growing the gap between these two groups of people in the future. To be digitally literate is a constantly evolving topic as well, one that must be considered by the entire UN. We must not only ensure that children understand how to use the internet safely, but also must determine what threats children are facing, how to protect them, and how to address the issues.
In France, the issue of digital literacy is mostly concerned with ensuring the safety of our children online. According to several reports, 99% of children 12-17 and 98% of children 8-11 have internet access (Protecting). Even though regulations are in place against children creating social media accounts, 63% of children under 13 have a personal account. This is incredibly dangerous for several reasons, the first of which being the risk of losing a “normal” childhood due to commercialization. This not only endangers a child’s privacy, but also their protection (Discover). This leads to the second reason a personal social media account is dangerous, which is the risk of losing protection and privacy because of photos posted online. Like their children, over 50% of parents post photos of their children, 91% of those post photos of their children under 5 years old. (Protecting). Not only is posting yourself and your surroundings dangerous because of kidnapping and stalkers, but the photos most often founded on illegal pornography sites are those from accounts just like these. France has taken several steps in protecting children against online threats. The Elysée Screen Commission in 2024 reported the scientific evidence detailing the negative impacts of screens on children, and implemented limitations on internet usage for children under 15 (Advancing). More specifically, in 2025 the TikTok Report also created limitations, banning TikTok usage for children under 15, and created a digital curfew between the hours of 10pm to 8am for children ages 15 to 18 (Protecting). France has also created a Digital Education Agenda outlining plans and goals for 2023-2027, including teaching digital citizenship to children in schools to develop digital skills, strengthen media and information literacy, promote critical thinking, and many more ideas (Discover). Ultimately, France strives to ensure every child is able to participate in this increasingly digital world, and is committed to preparing them to be safe and smart online.
The issues concerning digital literacy are unique to every country, so in order to understand and assist each other in the UN, the Delegation of France believes our first step should be to have a meeting held in Paris, to voice each country’s concerns and position regarding the internet. Once prominent issues have been outlined, we can then most effectively begin tackling them. For example, If another country is similar to France in that our main concern is digital safety and age restrictions online, then we would collaborate and develop similar plans. Another key aspect of a comprehensive meeting is to ensure that countries who do not have access to internet are provided with internet access. If these individuals are not provided with these tools, the gaps between impoverished and rich communities will only grow, and the economy will suffer for it. By extending the internet with devices and infrastructure, these individuals can build on their human capital and in the near future all groups will benefit. The issue that is digital illiteracy is different for each country, which is precisely why we need extensive collaboration to make sure no child is left behind in this new, digital world.
Works Cited
Advancing Digital Equality for Children | Innocenti Global Office of Research and Foresight, www.unicef.org/innocenti/projects/advancing-digital-equality-children. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
“Discover France’s Digital Education Agenda 2023-2027.” WWW, www.eun.org/news/detail?articleId=10808602. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
“Protecting Children in the Digital Age: Insights from France’s Educational and Regulatory Initiatives.” Better Internet for Kids, 10 Dec. 2025, better-internet-for-kids.europa.eu/en/news/protecting-children-digital-age-insights-frances-educational-and-regulatory-initiatives.
