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Africa

5Rights’ work drives initiatives and legislation across the region to further enhance the rights of children in the digital environment across Africa.

Contents

Overview

With the African UnionChild Online Safety and Empowerment Policy, Africa is the first region to have adopted a comprehensive approach towards creating a safer digital environment for children. 5Rights engages with the African Union (AU), national regulators, and civil society organisations throughout the African continent to advance its implementation.

“Just as parents and elders guide the young, the digital world must be built to protect and nurture us, not exploit us.”

Amara, 15

Children’s experiences

By 2030, nearly one-third of the world’s children will reside in Africa. Currently, already an estimated 40% of young people aged 15 to 24 have internet access in Africa, yet facing multitude of interconnected challenges. Exploring generative AI, children in Kenya have noticed the reproduction of stereotypes in AI-generated images, far removed from their realities. This has raised concerns about algorithmic bias and racism.

Our work in Africa

Building on 5Rights’ work to develop the Rwanda Child Online Protection Policy, the African Union Child Online Safety and Empowerment Policy sets out a blueprint to implement the necessary safeguards and reiterates businesses’ responsibilities to uphold children’s rights.

African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy HE Ms Lerato Mataboge said, “This strategy is our continental shield. It reflects our African realities, it is rooted in our values, and it is anchored in our aspirations”.

5Rights supports with regional policymakers regional and national bodies, and African civil society partners to translate the Child Online Safety and Empowerment policy into enforceable protections that reflect the realities and priorities of children across the continent.