Today, digital technology plays an increasingly important role in children’s lives, from play and education, to expression and social connection. This has only been heightened during the Coronavirus pandemic. But the online world has not been built for children and at most points it is not fit for children. There are legal instruments in place – such as the Thematic area 5 of the EU strategy on the Rights of the Child – which outline multi-stakeholder actions to ensure that children are protected and empowered online. The Strategy also announces a review of the European Strategy for a Better Internet for Children by the end of 2021. Furthermore, the ongoing deliberations around the EU Digital Services Act also address children’s online experience with co-legislators looking at increasing the accountability of providers of online services to protect children and young people online.

This event will discuss how we can collectively strengthen child-centric provisions in EU digital legislation such as the DSA, the upcoming BIK review to redesign a digital ecosystem that respects children’s rights and fosters their wellbeing online. It will also address the international approach on children’s rights online (such as UK’s Age-Appropriate Design Code, UN GC 25, G20 guidelines to protect and empower children online) which also enable development of children’s 21st century skills, including critical thinking and media literacy to help them thrive in the digital world.

• Programme

  Opening remarks

  Ivan Štefanec MEP and EIF Programming Committee Co-Chair

  Liesje Schreinemacher MEP and EIF Member

  Speakers

  June Lowery-Kingston, Head of Unit Accessibility, Multilingualism & Safer Internet, and Deputy to the Director, Data, DG CONNECT, European Commission

  Christopher Payne, Director, Digital Responsibility, Government and Public Affairs, the LEGO Group

  Charlotte Niklasson, Director of European Affairs, Nordvision

  Alexandra Evans, Head of Safety Public Policy, Europe, TikTok

  Leanda Barrington-Leach, Head of EU Affairs, 5Rights

  Moderator

  Maria Rosa Gibellini, Director General, European Internet Forum

  Exchange of views with the participants under the Chatham House rule