Children’s Best Interests in Digital Policy and Practice
From the voices of children, youth and experts around the world
Highlights
What does it really mean to act in the best interests of the child in the digital world, and who gets to decide?
As digital technologies become central to children’s everyday lives, the “best interests of the child” principle is increasingly referenced in policy and practice. Yet, in reality, there is still little clarity on how to apply it to online spaces, and children themselves are rarely part of the conversation.
This report seeks to change that. Drawing on consultations with more than 200 children across seven countries (Brazil, India, Malaysia, Sierra Leone, Spain, Uganda and the USA), alongside insights from youth and experts, it brings forward children’s lived experiences of the digital world. Their message is both clear and urgent: digital spaces offer important opportunities for learning, connection and self-expression, but they are not consistently safe, inclusive or fair.
The report outlines a set of priorities grounded in children’s own “wishes” for a digital environment that serves their best interests, alongside actionable recommendations for governments and technology companies. These include stronger accountability, child-centred design, investment in digital literacy, and inclusive, equitable access to digital technologies.
The report points to a shared responsibility across governments, technology companies, educators and families. Its key message is simple: digital environments cannot truly serve children’s best interests without fully engaging children. Meaningful progress depends on designing policies and platforms with children - not just for them.
This report is part of UNICEF's work on children's best interests in a digital world. To learn more, watch the webinar below.
