Media and digital literacy education
Additionally, there must be ongoing investment in digital literacy and data privacy education for children, parents, carers, teachers, and the broader community who will benefit greatly from effective and evidence-based education.
Children and young people must be consulted at every step to ensure their voices are not only heard but are integral to shaping policies, frameworks, and solutions that directly impact their digital experiences. Their lived realities in navigating online spaces offer invaluable insights, and any approach that fails to incorporate their perspectives risks being fundamentally incomplete and disconnected from the very people it seeks to protect.
Furthermore, the widespread exploitation of children’s data—through commercial harvesting—must be addressed. We support the creation of mechanisms to ensure the deletion of existing data that has been collected without proper safeguards, following the example of France’s "right to be forgotten."
The responsibility to uphold and realise children's digital rights lies with the Government. However, accountability for ensuring that products and services do not violate these rights rests squarely on the shoulders of tech companies. Tech companies must face the consequences when they fail to protect the most vulnerable members of society.
The Alannah & Madeline Foundation will continue to advocate for the right of all children and young people to be safe in all places where they live, learn and play – including in online spaces.
Learn more about our Advocacy work.