Session
Organizer 1: Millenium Anthony, 🔒Youth for Children (Y4C) Innovation Hub
Organizer 2: Saba Tiku Beyene, 🔒
Organizer 3: Tabitha Wangechi Muthiru, Digital Rurals
Organizer 4: Antonia Nirvana Gregorio Lima Antonia Nirvana Gregorio Lima, Youth Brazil
Organizer 5: Selma Kaymakci, IGF Czechia
Speaker 1: Tabitha Wangechi Muthiru, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 2: Ida Padikuor Na-Tei , Private Sector, African Group
Speaker 3: Antonia Nirvana Gregorio Lima Antonia Nirvana Gregorio Lima, Intergovernmental Organization, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 4: Selma Kaymakci, Civil Society, Eastern European Group
Nicky Jackson Colaco - Roblox, VP, Global Public Policy
Keith Andere - Executive Director, African Centre for Climate Research and Innovations
Millenium Anthony, Technical Community, African Group
Saba Tiku Beyene, Intergovernmental Organization, African Group
Igor José Da Silva Araújo , Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Theater
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The theatre layout allows for a larger audience capacity, facilitating engagement with a diverse group of onsite attendees. The duration of 60 minutes ensures that the session is concise and focused, maintaining the attention of both onsite and online participants.
- How can stakeholders collaborate effectively to empower parents and children in ensuring online safety? What strategies are most effective in promoting active participation in securing the digital space? - In the dynamic digital environment, what key indicators should be considered when designing online safety programs to ensure their relevance and effectiveness in addressing emerging risks faced by children and youths? - Considering the diverse cultural contexts and legal frameworks globally, what innovative approaches can be adopted to reconcile differences and establish universal standards for online safety interventions, particularly in regions with varying levels of internet access and digital literacy?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants attending this session will gain the following: - Valuable insights into safeguarding children and youth in the digital space. - Practical strategies for program design and evaluation tailored to address digital safety concerns. - Knowledge-sharing opportunities to learn from successful intervention programs. - Empowerment to actively contribute to the well-being of children and youth online. - A nuanced understanding of the dynamic landscape and global variances in digital safety challenges. - Strategies for adapting interventions to diverse cultural contexts and legal frameworks. - Active participant involvement in exploring adaptive strategies to improve outcomes for children and youth in the digital realm. - Engagement in a panel discussion format, allowing for interactive learning and knowledge exchange among participants and experts.
Description:
In today's digital age, children and youth are increasingly exposed to online platforms and digital technologies, heightening their vulnerability to various risks such as cyberbullying, online harassment, and exposure to harmful content. As digital connectivity becomes more pervasive, it is crucial to prioritize their safety and well-being in the digital space. This session focuses on innovative approaches to safeguarding children and youth in the digital space, under the sub-theme "Harnessing Innovation and Balancing Risks." We will explore practical strategies and empowerment initiatives to address the dynamic landscape and global variances in digital risks. Through a panel discussion format, participants will gain insights into successful intervention programs, practical program design and evaluation strategies, and proactive measures to contribute to children and youth well-being online. Active participant involvement will drive discussions on adaptive strategies, aiming to enhance outcomes for children and youth in the digital realm. This session is of paramount importance given the increasing digital engagement of children and youth worldwide. With more young individuals accessing online platforms for education, socializing, and entertainment, ensuring their safety in the digital space has become a pressing concern. By bringing together stakeholders from various sectors, this session aims to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing to develop effective solutions and empower children and youth to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
I. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in safeguarding children and youth in the digital space, leading to increased awareness and knowledge sharing. II. Attendees will leave with practical strategies and tools for designing, implementing, and evaluating online safety programs tailored to diverse cultural contexts and evolving digital landscapes. III. The session will foster collaboration among stakeholders, encouraging partnerships to develop innovative solutions and initiatives to address online safety challenges. IV. Through dialogue and discussion, the session will generate policy recommendations aimed at promoting a safer and more inclusive digital environment for children and youth globally. These outcomes will contribute to ongoing efforts to enhance online safety and well-being for the younger generation.
Hybrid Format: To facilitate interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees, we will utilize technology such as video conferencing platforms to connect remote speakers and participants in real time. This will allow online attendees to ask questions, share insights, and participate actively in discussions alongside onsite participants. Tentative Schedule for the Session: 5 Min: Introduction and background. The moderator explains how the session will take place and points out that attendees can ask questions by using the hand-raising option in the chat (online), or by requesting the floor (onsite). 40 Min: The moderator introduces the policy issues and addresses the speakers with questions in a roundtable fashion. 10 Min: Open floor. The moderator invites all participants to take the floor either online or onsite. 5 Min: Key takeaways (rapporteur) and conclusions.
Report
Building Trust and Digital Literacy: Empowering children and youth with digital literacy skills and fostering trust in their ability to navigate online spaces safely is crucial. This includes educating them on security, responsible use, and recognizing potential threats.
Regional and Global Collaboration: Developing region-specific policies that address diverse cultural, legal, and resource disparities is vital. Cross-border collaboration and investment in digital education are necessary to create frameworks that work for both resource-rich and resource-constrained regions.
The Role of Technology in Online Safety: There is a pressing need for innovative technological solutions, such as reliable age verification systems, to protect children and youth on social media platforms while respecting privacy and accessibility concern.
Invest in Capacity Building: Governments, educational institutions, and private sector players must prioritize formal and informal digital education programs for children and youth to equip them with the skills and knowledge to navigate the online world safely.
Enhance Stakeholder Collaboration: Policymakers, technical developers, educators, and young people must work together to create robust frameworks for online safety. This includes fostering inclusive dialogues and addressing the unique needs of various regions while ensuring universal access to resources and expertise.
Session Overview
In today’s digital age, children and youth are spending increasing amounts of time on online platforms, exposing them to risks such as cyberbullying, online harassment, and harmful content. Under the sub-theme, "Harnessing Innovation and Balancing Risks," this session explored practical strategies for safeguarding children and youth online. The discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration, innovation, and inclusion in developing robust online safety frameworks while addressing global variances in digital risks and cultural contexts.
The session was structured around key policy questions, focusing on how stakeholders can empower parents and children, design relevant safety programs, and reconcile diverse cultural and legal frameworks to establish universal standards.
Key Discussion Points
- Balancing Global Standards with Local Realities
- Universal standards for online safety are essential; however, they must be adaptable to account for regional legal, cultural, and resource differences.
- Cross-border collaboration is critical for developing region-specific policies while maintaining a global commitment to safety.
- Engaging Young People as Leaders
- Youths should not only be beneficiaries of online safety programs but also active participants and leaders in shaping these policies.
- Young innovators can contribute to designing tools and strategies that resonate with their peers.
- Addressing Emerging Risks
- Panelists emphasized the need to identify and mitigate overlooked risks such as privacy breaches, exploitation in online labor, and challenges faced by young influencers.
- Building Digital Literacy and Capacity
- Education systems should integrate online safety and digital literacy into formal and informal curricula to prepare children and youth for safe digital navigation.
- Fostering Collaboration Among Stakeholders
- Policymakers, educators, technology developers, parents, and youths must work together to create effective online safety frameworks.
- Including technical communities such as developers in discussions ensures that systems are designed with safety as a core principle.
Contributions from the Audience
- Suggested the potential of age-verification technologies to ensure that children accessing social media are of the appropriate age.
- Highlighted the importance of building trust with children while teaching them to navigate online spaces safely.
- Stressed the need for early involvement of technical experts to create platforms designed for safety from the outset.
Call to Action
A unified global commitment to online safety for children and youth is imperative. Stakeholders must prioritize collaboration, innovation, and the inclusion of young voices to ensure sustainable and effective digital safety frameworks.
Resources
United Nations Initiatives on Child and Youth Safety Online: https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/child-and-youth-safety-online
Roblox's Commitment to Safety and Civility: https://corp.roblox.com/safety-civility-resources