Youth Ki Awaaz’s Post

Protecting children’s rights in the digital age: Balancing opportunities and risks through collaboration Technological solutions like parental controls and age verification were explored, alongside the importance of education in digital literacy for both children and adults. https://lnkd.in/d8yn8eR8 #dwobservatory #dwnews #digwatch

#WorldChildrensDay | Essential reads, resources and conversations for children’s rights champions 📱💻 Concerns about the risks young people face when using the internet are growing, backed by a large, global body of research. Many parents or caregivers may be tempted to lock away their teens’ cellphones and tablets but that’s neither practical nor helpful in a hyper-connected, digital world. How to help children navigate the internet https://bit.ly/3AF65NU 📊🔍 The National Integrated ECD Policy was adopted in 2015 and covers the period from conception until the year before children enter school. It aims to transform early childhood development services by ensuring that the service package is comprehensive and equitable and that the essential components are universally available. What are the trends in service delivery and outcomes for early childhood development since the introduction of the Policy? The data https://bit.ly/3YWilBJ 💬 🤝🏾 Join a conversation on children's rights and decolonial research approaches, today at 7pm South African Standard Time (12pm EST). Hosted by the International and Canadian Child Rights Partnership (ICCRP), an international research collaboration that we're part of, that includes over 200 children and youths with lived experiences, and universities and human rights organisations. Find out more and register here https://bit.ly/3Z6qx3n 📕🧩 The Safe, Inclusive, Participative Pedagogy (SIPP) project is an international research collaboration that has aimed to contribute to ideas on learning and teaching strategies that are safe, inclusive, and participative. The SIPP South Africa team of researchers have worked with a community partner organisation and the members of the local early childhood education community in Vrygrond in Cape Town since 2020. Our shared learning has been developed into a community report, that people involved in early childhood education can use to mobilise action, such as lobbying for additional services, and prioritising training and support needs. It can also facilitate the sharing of knowledge about what is needed to enhance inclusion, participation, and safety in early learning. Resource https://bit.ly/3NRYi22

On #HumanRightsDay we turn our attention to the rights of the child in the digital environment. The Australian Government has taken a leading stance internationally in banning young people under 16 years of age from many forms of social media due to major concerns about the mental health effects on young people. There are concerns that this move may stifle creativity and online opportunities for young people. But with children and young people spending more time online, this resource has changed the way they access education and keep in touch with extended family and friends. Unfortunately, more time online increases the risk of being exposed to online abuse, cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, sexting, grooming, and radicalisation. Under these circumstances, their right to be safe in the digital environment has never been as important. As always, it’s important to model safe internet behaviour, share online interests, and set some rules. The resources and guidelines below offer a range of approaches to support child rights to online safety: - Investigating risks and opportunities for children in a digital world: A rapid review of the evidence on children’s internet use and outcomes [https://lnkd.in/guFnTaai] by Mariya Stoilova, Sonia Livingstone and Rana Khazbak, UNICEF Innocenti - Swoosh glide and rule number 5: digital book [https://lnkd.in/gbUwMj_Q] by Barbara Uecker and Peter Viska, eSafety Commissioner - Child rights to online safety: how parents can offer support – Part 1 [https://lnkd.in/gEiveN5s]: by Daryl Higgins, Institute of Child Protection Studies - Child rights to online safety: how parents can offer support – Part 2 [https://lnkd.in/gq8xf7eM]: by Daryl Higgins, Institute of Child Protection Studies

Children often fall under the vulnerable category. We should analyse why they are categorized as such in the law and public discourse and always strive, as adults in any occupation, to support them to not be vulnerable. Children need us to take measures to empower them, they need us to create the tools for them to be able to protect themselves and to allow them to get their voice heard. Children are agents, they have rights that are protected by specific international, European, and national legal frameworks. We are bound by them and we are responsible for enabling children to exercise them. 5Rights' and the European Parliament Intergroup on Children's Rights' event on "Demystifying Age Assurance to Protect Children Online" showcased that the security vs privacy trade-off is rather outdated as ethical AI development is the only way to build a safe and inclusive digital society. Children need to be at the center of technology and related policy development to ensure the protection of their rights and become co-creators of innovation. Towards this end, in the context of ALUNA ISF, we are developing a #childcentred #impactassessment framework for security tools fighting against #CSA and #CSE to ensure their rights inform the design, development, and employment of technology.

Excited to share this newly published paper as part of a #ResearchShowcase. How can researchers account for the #digital when researching adolescents? Read this open access article to find out 😊 🔗https://lnkd.in/edg23Zm6  ⬇️I hope you will share your perspectives in the comments below💻 Themes: #Digital #ChildRights #Teens #SafetybyDesign #Digitisation #Wellbeing #TrustandSafety #ResearchDesign

🏫 One in three internet users is a child, and, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, children’s development, relationships, education and play are increasingly mediated by digital technologies. ✅ The UN Global Digital Compact is the opportunity to drive awareness and reinforce the global political commitment to the implementation of children’s existing rights as set out in the UNCRC and its General comments in the digital world and focus on political will. Together with a broad coalition of civil society organisations, we ask EU member States to prioritise two core actions: 1. Develop and implement comprehensive policies and action plans for children’s rights in the digital environment. 2. Legislation to ensure business responsibility to respect children´s rights, and prevent and remedy abuse of their rights in relation to the digital environment Read the joint position paper drafted by Child Rights Connect, Alana Institute, ChildFund Alliance, Child Rights International Network - CRIN, ECPAT International, Foundation for Student Rights (Poland), Make Mothers Matter - MMM, Plan International, Plataforma de Infancia (España), Save the Children International, SOS Children's Villages International, Terre des Hommes International Federation, World Vision and 5Rights Foundation here: https://lnkd.in/dAGEEtPG

We believe in safe and equal education because every girl and boy deserves the chance to reach their full potential. To mark World Education Day tomorrow, we’re proud to share a blog by Danielle Cornish-Spencer announcing the relaunch of SDDirect’s Equal Education and Child Protection Portfolio. This blog highlights the inseparable link between #education and #safety. We believe that children can only thrive academically when their rights, safety, and well-being are prioritised. That’s why we’ve added “Child Protection” to our portfolio name and scope. From tackling violence in schools to addressing child marriage and gender-based violence (#GBV), our work focuses on breaking down the barriers that hold girls and boys back. This name change is more than a rebranding - it demonstrates our strengthened commitment to creating safe and inclusive environments where every child can learn, grow, and thrive no matter what. Read the full blog for more on the relationship between education and child protection, our whole society approach, and the inspiring projects we work on: https://lnkd.in/dzMiUZ7g If you’d like to discuss the portfolio relaunch or learn more about how we’re putting children’s education, rights and safety at the heart of our work, please get in touch in the comments or messages! #EducationDay #InclusiveEducation #SafeAndEqualEducation

To mark World Education Day tomorrow, we’re proud to share a blog by @Danielle Cornish Spencer announcing the relaunch of SDDirect’s Equal Education and Child Protection Portfolio. This blog highlights the inseparable link between #education and #safety. We believe that children can only thrive academically when their rights, safety, and well-being are prioritised. That’s why we’ve added “Child Protection” to our portfolio name and scope. From tackling violence in schools to addressing child marriage and gender-based violence (#GBV), our work focuses on breaking down the barriers that hold girls and boys back. This name change is more than a rebranding - it demonstrates our strengthened commitment to creating safe and inclusive environments where every child can learn, grow, and thrive no matter what. Read the full blog for more on the relationship between education and child protection, our whole society approach, and the inspiring projects we work on: https://lnkd.in/gEWe_hHx  If you’d like to discuss the portfolio relaunch or learn more about how we’re putting children’s education, rights and safety at the heart of our work, please get in touch in the comments or messages. #EducationDay #InclusiveEducation #SafeAndEqualEducation 

*The Full Privacy and Pitfalls of Autonomy* As children mature, they require increasing levels of privacy and autonomy. Whilst granting autonomy is essential for their development, it also presents potential pitfalls that must be carefully navigated. On one hand, autonomy offers numerous benefits. It encourages independence and self-reliance, fostering decision-making and problem-solving skills that are vital for their future success. Autonomy also promotes self-confidence and self-esteem, empowering children to take ownership of their choices and actions. However, autonomy also presents several pitfalls. For instance, children may be exposed to digital media and potential online risks, such as: - Cyberbullying - Grooming - Explicit content with adult themes via: - Movies - Games - Cartoons - Social media - Misinformation - Disinformation - Malinformation The exposure to explicit content with adult themes can have severe consequences on children's emotional, social, and psychological development. It can lead to: - Premature sexualisation - Desensitisation to violence and explicit content - Unhealthy attitudes towards relationships and body image - Increased anxiety and stress To protect children from these online risks, it is essential to impose limitations and intervene when necessary. Parents, caregivers, educators and policymakers must establish clear guidelines and expectations for handphone use, including: - content providers and penalities - Setting limits on screen time - Monitoring online activities - Educating children about online safety and etiquette - Encouraging open communication about online experiences Additionally, parents and caregivers can utilise various tools and strategies to protect children from online harms, such as: - legislate and regulate - Installing parental control software - Using internet filters - Encouraging critical thinking and media literacy - Fostering a culture of online responsibility and respect By acknowledging the benefits and pitfalls of autonomy, we can empower children to develop into capable, confident, and responsible individuals. By striking the right balance between autonomy and supervision, we can help them navigate the complexities of modern life and achieve their full potential. (Part 4/5)