Children’s Rights in the Digital World
In 2021, the UN adopted General Comment No. 25, officially extending children’s rights to the digital environment. Guided by the 5Rights Foundation and the voices of youth, this milestone emphasizes that states must protect children online while ensuring digital access and parental support. As countries like Germany lead with legislative reforms, it is vital to foster a digital world designed by and for children.
On February 4, 2021, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child adopted General Comment No. 25, formally recognizing that children's rights apply in the digital environment! This landmark document, published on March 24, 2021, serves as a comprehensive guide for nations on protecting children’s rights in the digital age. To establish a global consensus, UN member states must recognize the digital rights outlined in this document. On March 5, 2021, Germany became the first country to pass General Comment No. 25 through its parliament by adopting a reform law ensuring the core principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are valid online. This is a vital development that should soon be prioritized in Turkey as well.
The 5Rights Foundation, which played an active role in the preparation and adoption of General Comment No. 25, also published a version where children and young people express these rights in their own words. During its creation, youth participants highlighted four key points:
- Children need and want access to the digital world.
- States must take responsibility for protecting children's rights online.
- Families should be supported in understanding the digital world.
- They found it AWESOME that fundamental issues concerning youth were written by young people, for young people, and emphasized that this should happen more often.
Furthermore, the 5Rights Foundation published a document titled "Explanatory Notes," which explains the rights specified in General Comment No. 25 through practical examples.
