Africa Moves to Protect Children Online as African Union Unveils New Digital Safety Framework
The African Union (AU) member states have made a significant progress in enhancing child protection in Africa by adopting a draft Model Law on Child Online Safety and Protection and a Common African Position on Ending Violence Against Children.
The frameworks were discussed at a two-day meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which included government officials, child rights organisations, legal experts, development partners and children’s advocates to strengthen efforts to protect children online and offline.
Participants identified increasing threats to children such as cyberbullying, online exploitation, harmful content and privacy violations as children increasingly use digital platforms for learning, communication and creativity. The proposed AU Model Law aims to provide guidance to member states when drafting or revising their laws on child online protection.
The framework promotes greater cooperation between countries in combating online crimes involving children and the protection of children’s personal data. Cooperation would be based on sharing evidence to investigate offenders and prosecute cross-border crimes, not the sharing of children’s private data, officials said.
Delegates also urged greater accountability of technology companies, such as the responsibility to identify and mitigate risks, enhance reporting mechanisms, and foster digital literacy and “Safety by Design” principles from the outset of product design, which would take into account children’s protection.
AI was also mentioned, and suggestions were given to technology companies to evaluate the impact of new technologies on children’s rights and to make sure that children know when they are communicating with AI systems.
Over 100 children from all over Africa shared their ideas in the process of development, making children’s participation in decisions that impact their lives a key component of the process.
The Common African Position on Ending Violence Against Children also recommends for the strengthening of child protection systems, better data collection, greater investment and greater accountability.
The Model Law, if adopted, will offer African countries a common ground to develop safer digital spaces for children.
