Session
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: A 60-minute session is ideal for our purposes as it allows us to benefit from insights shared by expert panelists while still leaving ample time for questions and meaningful dialogue between both panelists and participants. By adopting a roundtable format, we aim to foster a non-hierarchical environment that encourages engagement from everyone involved. This setup ensures that online participants also have a comprehensive view, facilitating a richer and more inclusive experience for all.
The internet and digital technologies hold significant potential for realising children’s rights. However, the digital space also introduces significant risks, especially for children. This session will focus on the importance of embedding children's rights and safety within the digitalisation agenda. As countries navigate digital transformation, it is essential to implement coordinated strategies that involve multiple sectors - technology, social services, justice, education, civil society and community amongst others - to ensure the safety and well-being of child users. This session, facilitated by UNICEF, will convene speakers from around the globe to discuss multi-sectoral strategies that seek to reap the benefits of digital innovation for children while guarding against myriad risks.
Participants will hear directly from policymakers and practitioners, representing:
• the Family Affairs Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
• the Global Cybersecurity Forum,
• Australia’s eSafety Commissioner,
• Child Helpline International, and
• Business for Social Responsibility.
The speakers will share innovative measures from their countries and organisations. These examples will showcase the roles of various stakeholders in creating policies, programmes, and technological solutions that prioritise child safety and well-being while facilitating children's engagement with digital technologies. The session will include a moderated discussion to encourage participation from both the online and onsite audience. Key points of discussion will include the importance of incorporating children’s rights and views into the design and implementation of policy measures and technologies; the necessity for educative measures to consider children’s safety and well-being in all settings, moving past binary notions of ‘online’ and ‘offline’; and how technologies can support children’s safety and well-being. This interactive session aims to foster collaboration and the exchange of ideas, experiences, and innovative strategies to embed children’s rights within the digitalisation agenda.
UNICEF
Afrooz Kaviani Johnson, UNICEF HQ, New York, intergovernmental organisation
- Dr Maimoonah Al Khalil, Secretary General, Family Affairs Council, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Representative, Global Cybersecurity Authority
- Ms Floreta Faber, Deputy Director General, National Cyber Security Authority, Albania
- Mr Paul Clark, Executive Manager of Education, Prevention and Inclusion, eSafety Commissioner, Australia
- Ms Helen Mason, Director of Operations, Child Helpline International, Netherlands
- Mr Richard Wingfield, Director, Technology Sectors, BSR, London office
Jumana Haj-Ahmad, Deputy Representative, UNICEF Gulf Area Office
Afrooz Kaviani Johnson, Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF HQ New York
Afrooz Kaviani Johnson
Targets: Efforts to prioritise child safety and well-being while facilitating children's engagement with digital technologies align with multiple SDG targets including SDG 5.2, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls and SDG 16.2 which seeks to end all forms of child abuse, exploitation, and trafficking. These efforts also align with SDG 16.7, which focuses on ensuring responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels, and SDG 17.6 which emphasises the importance of enhancing global partnerships for sustainable development.
Report
Leveraging data and listening to children are critical to driving meaningful change and shaping effective policies and interventions for child safety in the digital environment.
Addressing the diverse needs of children, especially the most vulnerable, requires sophisticated, multisectoral responses that harness the benefits of digital technologies while mitigating risks.
Integrate child rights and safety into national digitalization agendas: Ensure child rights and safety in digital environments is prioritised through collaborative efforts across sectors and stakeholders.
Focus on prevention and systemic change: Drive corporate transparency and accountability, raise widespread awareness, and foster social change that prioritises children’s rights and best interests, addressing the full range of child rights impacts.