Children in the Digital Age

Belgrade, 25 November 2024 – Gaming has become a major form of entertainment in the 21st century. As one of the fastest-growing global industries, gaming carries a significant responsibility towards children, who today spend more time in the digital world than ever before. Younger and younger children are using mobile apps, social media platforms, and online games, and the opportunities and risks of the digital environment are growing.

At this year's GamesCon festival, held from 22 to 24 November, a panel discussion titled Children in the Digital Age was held at the AXE stand. The discussion was moderated by Dusan Srbljak, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of axe.rs, and the panellists were Vojislav Peric, better known as SupremeNexus, one of the most well-known gaming YouTubers in the region; Iva Gajic, Director of the Public Relations Department at SBB; and Vesna Savic Djukic, Fundraising Specialist at UNICEF Serbia.

"Through my work, I strive to be an example of responsible behaviour online. I regularly talk with young people about the importance of setting boundaries on the time spent online, as well as how to recognise and report bullying or inappropriate interactions. I believe the key is in educating both children and parents about the challenges and benefits of the digital age," said Vojislav Peric.

Internet service providers play a crucial role in ensuring a safe online environment for children. This includes educating parents and children, developing tools for online protection, and promoting responsible use of digital technologies.

"Not only do we collaborate with most of the gamers participating in the seventh GamesCon festival, as they are our ambassadors and understand the importance of fast, reliable, and stable internet, but four years ago we went a step further by introducing the Connect app for safe home internet and child online control. We are now organising workshops for primary school students, aiming to raise awareness about the challenges on social media and openly discuss internet addiction. Following the example of leading global internet providers, during the month dedicated to fighting addiction, we are drawing attention to the challenges of the modern era," said Iva Gajic, Director of Public Relations at SBB.

Recognising the potential of technology to positively impact children’s development and well-being, as well as the risks it poses, UNICEF, in cooperation with the LEGO Group and with the financial support of the LEGO Foundation, has developed the RITEC Design Toolbox — a free and comprehensive set of resources with practical advice for the gaming industry. This tool provides guidelines for creating digital games that promote children’s well-being. Based on recent UNICEF research, which shows that well-designed video games can significantly contribute to children’s development, the RITEC Design Toolbox is aimed at designers and professionals shaping digital games, offering concrete steps for responsible design.

"As a leading global organisation for children, our goal is to help ensure that children benefit from digital technologies. UNICEF’s global project - Responsible Innovation in Technology for Children - aims to guide game designers and content creators towards promoting children’s well-being. The guidelines and tools within the RITEC Design Toolbox will contribute to ensuring that digital environments have a positive impact on children’s psychological and social development," said Vesna Savic Djukic, Fundraising Specialist at UNICEF Serbia.

Protecting children in the digital world is not the responsibility of parents or tech companies alone — it is the task of society as a whole. Only through collective action can we create a digital world that supports the well-being and development of children.

"The essence is that responsibility must exist and that prevention is extremely important. Fortunately, online platforms have mechanisms to prevent malicious content, but it is up to us to report that content so it can be sanctioned. In the end, everything is in our hands," concluded Dusan Srbljak, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of axe.rs.

Digital technologies are increasingly present in children’s lives and will continue to shape their childhood and future. With the responsible behaviour of all actors — parents, educators, content creators, and companies — we can ensure that digital innovations truly serve the best interests of children.