All three telecom operators signed the Code for the Protection and Promotion of Children's Rights in the Digital Environment

Zagreb, 29 September 2025 – At a ceremony organized by the UNICEF Office for Croatia, the Code for the Protection and Promotion of Children's Rights in the Digital Environment was officially signed, marking a joint commitment by Hrvatski Telekom d.d., A1 Hrvatska d.o.o., and Telemach Hrvatska d.o.o. to further strengthen their efforts in safeguarding children's rights in the digital space.

The signing took place during the visit of Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF’s Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, underscoring the importance of this initiative for the protection of children's rights.

UNICEF in Croatia has long collaborated with the telecommunications industry to promote and protect children's rights through responsible business practices. Since the establishment of UNICEF’s Advisory Board on Children’s Rights and Business in 2018, A1 Hrvatska and Telemach Hrvatska have actively participated in its work. In 2025, Hrvatski Telekom joined the Board, further strengthening cooperation among leading telecom providers in the shared mission of protecting children.

“The digital environment offers children many opportunities for learning, development, and connection, but also brings new risks. Through joint action between the telecommunications industry and UNICEF, we are setting standards for responsible business and creating a safer digital space for every child. This initiative shows how the private sector can be a powerful ally in protecting children and promoting their rights, paving the way for other industries to follow", said Luisa Brumana, UNICEF Office for Croatia Representative.

The Code was developed based on UNICEF tools and frameworks, including the Mobile Operators Child Rights Impact Assessment Tool and the Children’s Rights and Business Principles. It represents a shared public commitment by operators to respect and support children’s rights across all aspects of their business, to continuously assess and improve their practices in line with international standards, and to collaborate with institutions, civil society, and parents to ensure digital technologies are safe and empowering for children.

“At Hrvatski Telekom, we believe technology is a foundation for progress—not only economically and professionally, but also socially and educationally—offering children and youth countless opportunities to realize their potential. For years, we’ve actively worked to protect children and youth online, a topic more relevant and important than ever. We invest in education, develop digital tools and safe solutions, and implement initiatives like Tools for the Modern Age, a program promoting responsible behavior in the digital environment, currently involving 6,000 children from 205 primary schools across Croatia. While we may be competitors in business, when it comes to protecting the youngest, the telecom industry stands united. Education, collaboration, and partnerships with institutions like UNICEF are the foundation for making both the digital and real world safer for children", said Nataša Rapaić, CEO of Hrvatski Telekom.

“A1 Croatia brings internet to every palm and every home, and with that comes the responsibility to teach children and young people how to use it safely. That’s why, through our #BoljiOnline initiative, we’ve been educating children, parents, and teachers for years about online risks and developing digital safety skills. Last year, in cooperation with the Center for Safer Internet, we opened psychological counseling centers in Zagreb and Split to support children affected by online violence. This school year, we introduced a new subject, Digital Literacy, at the First Gymnasium in Zagreb, and next week we’re hosting the second CyberGuard conference dedicated to child online protection. I believe that through joint efforts of all telecom operators, we can create an online world where children grow, learn, and develop safely and freely. That’s why this Code is so important",  said Dejan Turk, CEO of A1 Croatia.

“Telemach is committed to creating a digital environment that provides children with safety, opportunities for development, and equal access. Signing the Code is another step in our long-standing collaboration with UNICEF, reaffirming that the private sector can and must be a strong ally in protecting children’s rights. We believe that through joint action, we can set standards for responsible business that place children and their well-being at the heart of the digital future", said Adrian Ježina, CEO of Telemach Hrvatska.

The Code covers key areas such as online safety and child protection, privacy and data security, access to safe digital services for all children, prevention of exposure to inappropriate content and manipulative advertising, and collaboration with stakeholders to create a safer digital environment for children in Croatia.