Leaders agree on Global Digital Compact: a step closer to a safer digital future for children
Global leaders gathered in New York at the Summit of the Future and adopted the Global Digital Compact (GDC). This is a historic milestone as the Compact is the first international agreement aimed at securing a better digital future for all, grounded in human rights.
Over the past 18 months, the 5Rights Foundation, alongside a global coalition of 14 children’s rights organisations, has been deeply engaged in the development of the GDC. Our shared goal has been clear: to ensure that the Compact incorporated the strongest possible references to children and their rights.
In the final text, states reaffirmed their determination to protect children’s rights in the digital world. Notably, they promise to “strengthen legal and policy frameworks to protect the rights of the child in the digital space” and to “prioritise the development and implementation of national online child safety policies and standards” by 2030. This promise is a significant step forward in creating the digital world children deserve.
Getting children’s rights recognised
Representatives from governments, the private sector, civil society and youth have all contributed to ensure the Compact is best positioned to build an “open, free, secure and human-centred digital future for all”.
In our most recent joint submission to the consultation, we strongly recommended that the Global Digital Compact retain its grounding in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and commitments to bolstering domestic legislation and policies to protect children and their rights. We warmly welcome they have listened.
As argued in our joint submission to the consultation last year, the reality of the 21st century is that the online and offline worlds have become increasingly intertwined. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child applies to all aspects of children’s lives, including the digital world, as made clear in General comment No. 25, which provides essential guidance on how the UNCRC should be upheld in the digital environment. By reaffirming the global commitment to UNCRC, and fully implement General comment 25, we can create a digital environment that respects, protects and fulfils children’s rights.
Youth on the global stage
5Rights Foundation has also continued to advocate for the inclusion of children’s perspectives in the Compact. We are delighted that Skye, a 13-year-old 5Rights Youth Ambassador, is participating in the Summit of the Future and sharing her views and those of her peers with global leaders. In addition, hundreds of Youth Ambassadors from more than 25 countries have written to their leaders, welcoming the adoption of the Compact, and seeing its promise in assuring a safer digital future.
Skye, a 13-year-old 5Rights Youth Ambassador from the United States, had this to say about the adoption of the Global Digital Compact:
“Older generations have seen that these systems often don’t work for children and young people. Now, they want to give us something better—the gift of a safer and fairer digital future. By adopting the Global Digital Compact, countries like the United States are making a promise to children everywhere. This promise is about ensuring we can grow up in a digital world made for us.”
In the picture: 5Rights Founder and Chair, Baroness Beeban Kidron (left) and 5Rights Executive Director, Leanda Barrington-Leach, pose with 5Rights Youth Ambassador, Skye from the US.
Speaking at the Summit of the Future, Baroness Kidron – 5Rights chair and founder – applauded the Global Digital Compact:
“As of yet, only a handful of countries have passed legislation that prioritises the rights and needs of children – leaving child’s safety, security, and privacy dependant on where they live. This is unacceptable. Every child, no matter where they are, deserves a digital environment that is safe, rights-respecting, and empowering. 5Rights and children all over the world will make sure to hold governments to the promises made in the Global Digital Compact.”
A tool to bridge the digital divide
As affirmed by Baroness Kidron, states now have to keep the promises outlined in the Global Digital Compact and translate their commitments into actions to assure children the online safety they deserve.
As of yet, only a handful of countries have passed legislation that prioritises the rights and needs of children – leaving child’s safety, security, and privacy dependant on where they live. This is unacceptable. Every child, no matter where they are, deserves a digital environment that is safe, rights-respecting, and empowering. 5Rights and children all over the world will make sure to hold governments to the promises made in the Global Digital Compact.