African Union Child Online Safety and Empowerment Policy

The African Union has adopted a comprehensive and pioneering Child Online Safety and Empowerment Policy, with the support of the Child Online Safety Toolkit and 5Rights Foundation.

It is estimated that 40% of young people aged between 15 and 24 years old have access to internet in Africa. With a staggering number of children going online daily, the need for a comprehensive approach to child online protection has never been more urgent.

The African Union’s Child Online Safety and Empowerment Policy is a crucial step towards safeguarding the continent’s children from the risks of the online environment. This policy addresses this challenge head-on by outlining key principles, goals, and strategies for creating a safer digital environment for children in Africa.

Central to the policy is the recognition of children’s rights and the importance of a whole-of-society approach. Taking children’s rights and cross cutting issues on board, the African Union’s Child Online Safety and Empowerment Policy establishes a series of goals across ten policy action areas, namely: institutional capacity, legal and regulatory frameworks, personal data and identity, response and support systems, business and children’s rights, training, education, public awareness, research and development, and international cooperation. 

The African Union’s Child Online Safety and Empowerment Policy is a critical step towards creating a safer digital environment, where children are protected, empowered, and able to thrive. By supporting African Member States in designing national child online safety and empowerment policies, this document aims to foster a nurturing online environment that supports the growth of children all over Africa.