CHILDHOOD ONLINE: NEW HORIZONS AND THREATS TO CHILDREN’S RIGHTS
Keywords:
In the 21st century, digital technologies reshape all facets of life, including childhood.Abstract
The digital era presents new opportunities and challenges for childhood globally. Children increasingly interact, learn, and express themselves through digital technologies, opening up new horizons for their development and participation. However, these digital spaces also expose children to novel threats to their fundamental rights, such as online abuse, privacy violations, and harmful content. This thesis examines the international and national legal frameworks designed to protect and promote children’s rights in the digital environment. It analyzes key instruments including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and relevant Council of Europe recommendations, alongside national responses and legislation. The study explores both opportunities and risks in the digital world and concludes with recommendations to strengthen legal protections, enhance digital literacy, and ensure child participation in policy-making. The imperative to uphold children's rights online is crucial to ensuring a safe, inclusive, and empowering digital future for all children.
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References
United Nations, Convention on the Rights of the Child (New York: United Nations, 1989), arts. 16, 17, 19; UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, General Comment No. 25 (2021) on children’s rights in relation to the digital environment, CRC/C/GC/25.
Council of Europe, Recommendation CM/Rec(2018)7 on Children’s Rights in the Digital Environment (Strasbourg: Council of Europe, 2018).
Council of Europe, Convention on Cybercrime (Budapest: Council of Europe, 2001).
European Union, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Regulation (EU) 2016/679.
United Kingdom, Children and Families Act, 2014; UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, Internet Safety Strategy, 2017.
Australia, eSafety Commissioner Act, 2015.
UNCRC, arts. 12, 13; Council of Europe Recommendation CM/Rec(2018)7, paras. 20-25.
UNICEF, Children in a Digital World: An analysis of child rights in the digital environment (New York: UNICEF, 2019); United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Guidelines on preventing and responding to online child sexual exploitation and abuse, 2023.
Ibid.; UNICEF and ITU, Global coalition to protect children online, 2024.
Agency of Information and Mass Communications, “Draft Law on Protection of Online User Rights,” Tashkent, 2025.
Republic of Uzbekistan, Law No. 996 on Protecting Children from All Forms of Violence, May 15, 2025; National Action Plan for Combating Violence Against Children, 2025–2035
