Giving our youth a voice: Regional dialogue on violence against children in the digital world

5 March 2023

What does it take to make online spaces safer for children? Part of the answer is asking children themselves.

Five youth from Singapore recently took part in a regional dialogue on violence against children in the digital world— joining over 100 young people from across the Asia Pacific to speak directly with Dr Najat Maalla M'jid, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children.

*Youth who participated in the dialogue, including Anders (left), Adnan (middle) and Daryl (right), who Zoomed together from our office. The other two participated in the session from home.*

All five are alumni of the Singapore Children's Forum (SCF), a platform organised annually by Singapore Children's Society for children and youth to participate meaningfully in decisions that affect them. Online safety is territory they know well— past SCF projects have explored everything from parenting in the digital age to tackling unkind behaviour online.

This dialogue gave them something rarer: a direct line to international policymakers, and an audience that was genuinely there to listen.

Why this dialogue matters

Since her appointment, Dr Najat has made consulting children and youth a cornerstone of her work — on issues ranging from mental health to online safety. The dialogue was held in preparation for her annual report to governments and world leaders, meaning the voices in that room had a real chance of shaping what comes next.

In his own words

Adnan, 13, was one of the five delegates from Singapore. Here's what he took away:

'When addressing the issue of violence against children in the digital world, it is crucial to recognise its significant impact on the safety, well-being and development of young individuals. The risks they face, such as online abuse, cyberbullying, grooming, sexual exploitation, and exposure to harmful content, are substantial. Before the session, I took the time to make my own predictions of the issues and challenges other youth might face online and prepared myself accordingly. The highlight of the event was getting to hear the thoughts and opinions of other young participants. It was incredibly empowering to know that my own ideas were respected and valued by esteemed experts like Dr. Najat and her team,” shared Adnan.

He added that collaborating with children and youth on this topic is not just important, it is absolutely essential.

“By involving us in the conversation, empowering our voices, and recognising our unique insights into the digital world, we unlock a wealth of knowledge and ensure that any approach taken on the issues we face will be truly effective. What truly sets this event apart from the usual gatherings was its interactive nature. It wasn’t a one-sided lecture; it was engaging, interactive, and downright enjoyable. I can’t wait to participate in more events like this in the future. In a nutshell, fighting against the harms and risks children face in the digital world is a responsibility we all share. It is imperative that we continue to collaborate, empower young individuals and make a tangible difference,” he added.

Themes:

Online Safety