The Rights of Children in the Digital Environment – Webinar Recording

In March this year the Committee on the Rights of the Child published its General Comment No 25 on children’s rights in relation to the digital environment. In this document the CRC Committee throws light on how digital technologies affect the full range of children’s rights in positive and negative ways. It makes recommendations as to what governments should do to protect, respect and realise children’s rights online, and clarifies the roles and responsibilities of business, parents, educators, service providers and children themselves.

Digital platforms accessible to children and young people have a contribution to make to the realisation of their rights to education, health, and participation. Internet platforms can also enable social interaction and community participation.

However, the deleterious impacts of restrictions to this access have been exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, lockdowns of schools have meant that children with no internet access or limited access to technology have been deprived of proper education. This has impacted heavily on disadvantaged communities in Australia, especially rural and remote communities, First Nations children and children living with a disability.