Child Protection in the Digital Ecosystem under the Convention on the Rights of the Child

Abstract

Background: Child protection in the digital era is increasingly important as technology advances rapidly. More than a third of internet users are children, who are vulnerable to exploitation and violence in cyberspace. While digital technology offers many benefits, it also carries risks to children's basic rights, such as privacy and security, which require strong legal protection.

Methodology: This study uses a normative approach with qualitative analysis to evaluate the principles in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and international legal instruments related to child protection in the digital world. Data were collected through literature studies with primary and secondary legal materials, then analyzed descriptively qualitatively.

Objectives: This study aims to analyze the extent to which the CRC principles can protect children's rights in the digital world and identify challenges in its implementation. In addition, this study also provides policy recommendations to strengthen child protection in the digital ecosystem.

Findings: The study found that while the CRC provides a strong legal basis, implementation challenges arise due to differences in regulations across countries and lack of adequate protection on digital platforms. Low digital literacy among children and parents also exacerbates the problem.

Originality/Novelty: This research makes a new contribution by filling the gap in the literature on the application of CRC in cyberspace and providing policy recommendations that are more adaptive to technological developments.