Children’s rights in a digital society: UN brings in protection for the rights of children

David Hodson OBE MICArb Co-founder partner of iFLG
Kristianna Beta Paralegal at iFLG

In February 2021 the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child adopted General Comment 25. It sets out children's rights in relation to the digital environment. It requires Member States to adopt measures to combat the risks and hazards which a digitalised reality entails. This article analyses this UN crucially important innovation in the context of the role technology plays in modern society and particularly in children's lives since it represents the milieu of modern life from communication upbringing and education to the formation of societal and personal beliefs. Without eroding the beneficial nature of technology in children's day to day lives explicit reference is made by the UN to the need of the adoption of measures to protect against harm and violation of children. The article also considers the comments to the Draft General Comment submitted by the UK Government and the Secretariat of the Council of Europe. This UN report is essential reading for every lawyer working with children given that so many of their lives are in the...

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