Addiction to online gaming among children and teenagers is increasingly becoming a common concern for parents and educators. Experts are calling for more protection for young internet users from online risks. Photo by Zhao Yadan / for China Daily

UNICEF expert calls on governments, technology companies and NGOs to tackle internet risks

The internet has brought great benefits to young people, particularly those who are marginalized or live in remote communities. Yet it also presents serious risks to child safety, according to a top international expert.

Children worldwide face threats from cyberbullying, internet fraud and invasions of privacy - and only the joint efforts of governments, tech companies and NGOs can protect them, said Rana Flowers, China representative of the United Nations Children's Fund, also known as UNICEF.

"Protecting children online goes beyond borders and requires better international cooperation," she said in an email exchange ahead of the ongoing World Internet Conference.

UNICEF has treated the protection of children online as a priority for many years, she said, adding that this year's edition of The State of the World's Children, the organization's annual report, will focus on the benefits and risks young people face in the digital age. The report will be released this month.

Authorities and tech enterprises in China are actively working with UNICEF to make the internet safer for children, according to Flowers.

"We commend the efforts of the Chinese government to introduce laws and guidelines for the protection of children online and offline," she said. "The willingness to investigate and introduce better safeguards where needed is recognized."

She cited as an example China's proactive engagement with the WeProtect Global Alliance to end child sexual exploitation online, which "entails the development of a coordinated national response".

Flowers said she was also encouraged by China's efforts to ensure there would be dynamic debate on this issue at the fourth World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, which runs from Sunday to Tuesday.

"Concrete actions are underway, and I am sure that as recommendations for changes to legislation, policy or practices are identified, action will follow," she said.

As the internet industry plays a crucial role in protecting young minds, UNICEF has been building a strategic partnership with Tencent, the tech company behind China's most popular messaging tool, WeChat.

Together, they will promote child rights and protection online through research and policy advocacy, industry coalition building and engagement, and public awareness and communication, according to Flowers.

"UNICEF is also providing technical assistance and a child rights perspective to Tencent's policies, processes and practical tools on child online safety," she said. "Our goal is to extend this engagement to all Chinese technology companies, to have a systemwide protection for children."

Flowers said her organization was to co-host a child online protection forum during the Wuzhen conference to raise awareness of the issue and promote coordinated responses from governments, the tech industry and society.

"Apart from offering our experience and knowledge to support the design of a comprehensive policy and legal framework to protect children offline and online, we also want to reach parents who need to understand more about the risks our children face, and what they can do to avoid and manage the risks posed by the internet."

Q&A | Rana Flowers

What risks do children face while using the internet?

It needs to be recognized that information technology can pose significant challenges to children's safety, their self-esteem, and their health.

The internet can intensify some of the traditional childhood risks faced by children, and an example is cyberbullying: Constant attacks that degrade and belittle their character, looks and capacities in a space where teachers or parents cannot see the abuse or cannot intervene to protect the child.

Children can also be exposed to inappropriate content and inappropriate contacts, including potential predators. They can also be the targets of cyberfraud.

In addition, children may not be able to fully comprehend the short-and long-term consequences of their "digital footprints", especially in relation to the information they post about themselves, or worse, risky or inappropriate behaviors that can put them or others in danger.

They face risks related to online privacy, data collection and usage, and the collection of location information.

There are also legitimate concerns that a child's development, their verbal communication skills and their health may be disrupted if too much time is immersed in digital technology.

What steps should China and the rest of the world take to better protect children online?

A crucial step is the building and implementation of a strong national framework and regulatory standards for children's online protection that minimize the risks they face online and enhance the prevention of, and response to, violations of their rights.

Businesses, including internet companies, must put protecting children at the heart of their work, paying special attention to protecting the privacy of young users' personal data, preserving their right to learn and participate, and putting systems in place to address violations of children's rights when they occur.

For the successful prevention of online abuse we need to engage civil society. Educators, media and social organizations can inform and empower parents, as well as help children to know how to enhance their digital literacy and protect themselves from harm and risks online.

Parents and caregivers need to learn to talk to children about their internet use, and find a good balance between giving space for independent exploration and providing appropriate limitations. They may not be as tech savvy as their children, but they bring invaluable life skills and experience.

As with offline abuse, it is children themselves who, with the right information and support, will be the actors who exercise protection, who act when others are being abused, who signal when a predator is online. At the same time, parents, internet companies, teachers and regulators need to be ready to respond and take steps to protect children when they signal there is a need to do so.

The government, providers of online services and other adult stakeholders should do whatever they can to make the internet as safe as it can be for children.

The first and best form of defense in protecting children and young people is making them aware of what can happen online, and making them understand that there is always a solution to a problem they may encounter online.

Empowering children through education and raising awareness is of paramount importance.