Topic: 2026 – Digital Equity for Children
Country: Iran
Delegate Name: Natalie KIngera
Delegation: Iran
Committee: UNICEF
Digital Equity for Children
In this fast-moving world, technology continues to shape education, communication, and the world’s access to information. However, with this concept comes reliability for the safety of those using the digital world. Children use the internet almost daily, as schools have moved toward an online approach as technology continues to grow. It is crucial that our children get the safety they deserve, without violating their rights. In Iran, the concept of digital equity has received limited attention in the past because of political and cultural factors. Iran also faces difficulties because of sanctions put in place. Sanctions restrict Iran’s access to the digital world, by denying the access to tools and knowledge needed for progression digitally for the country (Digital). Sanction barriers block access to online platforms essential for educational development, which is important to the growth and teachings of our students.
Along with these sanctions, Iran also faces challenges of unrestricted internet access. This is concerning, as children have free reign of whichever sites they may choose. The Iranian government has had many attempts to support the safety of children online. However, many proposed laws or acts often conflict with either Article 15 of the Iranian constitution, or agenda of internet censorship and control of information. There have been efforts to ban or restrict internet access for those under 16, however; this was also violating the same laws in place. Iran has also seen large social media platform alternatives, Rubika and Baleh, lacking the correct safeguards for keeping unattended children safe online. These apps were both found to be sharing children’s personal information and photos and uploading them to the web. They also lacked the implementation of age filtering for the content on these apps (Beyond). This rings concerns for the digital equity of young children in Iran. If action is not taken fast enough, many children will continue to float in the deep, dangerous waters of the internet.
Currently, not many steps have been taken to support the equity and rights of children’s use of the digital world. The digital divide within Iran has created large challenges for many citizens. The Delegation of Iran proposes that countries can come together and create safe rules and regulations that will not interfere with the infringement of rights. We propose that a restriction on internet access for children ages 12 and under can be set in place across the globe. This will not mean that internet access will be banned; it means it will be strictly moderated at all times by an UN-based program for a special internet browser installment called the ISC (Internet Safeguards of Children). Parents can download this browser where it will constantly keep the child’s information safe, keep their content age appropriate, [KK1.1]and flag websites that seem unsafe for parents’ review. The browsers will be monitored by the Digital & Technology Network (DTN) one of the UN’s technology branches. These monitors will be the only ones to have access to viewing information to keep children’s identity hidden. This browser will not conflict with right violations, nor will it be restricted by sanctions of any sort for any country. It is our duty to keep our children safe, especially in the vast, ever-expanding world online.
MLA Citations
“Beyond Ones and Zeros: A Look at Children’s Rights in the Digital Space.” Filter Watch, 23 Oct. 2024, filter.watch. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
“Digital Exclusion: How Sanctions Act As a Major Force in Iran’s Digital Divide.” Tehran, etchamber.ir. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
SILMUN Background Guide
