Tuesday 1 October 2024, 10h00 UTC/ 11h00 BST

For more information, please contact: kathryn.bailey@ethicaldatainitiative.org

Protecting children online is a pressing concern in today’s digital age. With the widespread use of the internet and social media, children are increasingly susceptible to online threats such as cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and online predators. Parents, educators, policymakers and legal and safeguarding experts must collaborate to establish measures to shield children from these risks. This involves promoting digital literacy, educating children about online safety, implementing parental controls and privacy settings, and fostering open communication about online experiences. Furthermore, working with internet service providers and social media platforms to enforce stringent guidelines and regulations can contribute to a safer online environment for children.

Better regulation is needed for social media platforms, which benefit in the form of increased traffic and therefore revenue from fostering controversy and division. Digital platforms should be required to enforce strict guidelines and provide easy reporting mechanisms for harmful content. Parents play a crucial role in monitoring their children’s online activities and fostering open communication.

Children are particularly vulnerable when it comes to privacy in the realm of data and AI. Their personal information can be exploited for targeted advertising, online tracking, and potential exposure to unsuitable content. The collection and utilisation of young people’s data in AI models also raise concerns about consent, transparency, and the potential for data breaches. Without adequate safeguards, children’s privacy and safety could be compromised, underscoring the urgent need for robust regulations, ethical guidelines, and responsible data handling practices to mitigate these risks in the ever-evolving landscape of data and AI.

Ensuring children’s privacy and safety in the context of data and AI is of paramount importance. Organisations and developers must prioritise ethical data collection and processing to prevent children from being exposed to potential risks. Implementing strict data protection measures, such as anonymisation and encryption, is crucial to safeguarding children’s personal information. Additionally, age-appropriate content filtering and parental control features can reduce exposure to harmful online content. Transparent data practices and robust parental consent mechanisms are also crucial to upholding children’s rights and well-being in the digital landscape. By integrating these measures, we can create a safer and more secure environment for children in the realm of data and AI.

This panel event on Child Protection in the Age of AI is part of the Ethical Data Discussion Series, presented by the Association of African Universities, the University of Nottingham, and the Ethical Data Initiative. This discussion series serves as a platform for advancing ethical data practices and fostering critical dialogue within the African academic and research community. Through engaging discussions and interactive sessions, the initiative aims to empower stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to navigate ethical challenges in data-driven research and decision-making.

During this panel discussion, experts in child protection, children’s rights and data science will delve into the child protection risks of digitisation from an African perspective, addressing key questions that concern society and governments across the world within a regional context. What measures are being implemented on the continent to tackle these issues? How can we learn from previous failings and other attempts at addressing these challenges?

Panellists

Stefano Rimini is an international policy expert and consultant with more than 10 years of experience in the field of inequalities, social policies, policy oriented research, advisory support and policy making. He has been advising for many years as a social policy advisor for UNICEF and for the European Parliament. He is a member of the expert group in charge of drafting the Italian National Action Plan on Child Guarantee, with extensive governance experience both at local and european level, contributing to the design and implementation of policies addressing social inequalities. He is also an activist, founder of Pianeta.org – a non-profit organization based on the values of social and environmental justice. In recognition of his commitment to social and environmental issues, he was appointed EU Ambassador for the Climate Pact. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in the development and implementation of governance strategies that foster sustainable development and reduce social inequalities.

Professor Abhilash Nair is Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Business Engagement and Innovation (BEI) at the University of Exeter Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; providing strategic leadership for the faculty’s BEI activities across all portfolios of research and impact, education and global engagement.

Abhilash’s principal area of research is internet law, specifically the regulation of illegal and harmful content, internet pornography, and online safety. He is an internationally recognised expert on online child safety laws and has advised various international and national bodies on regulating illegal content, online child sexual abuse material, and content-related cybercrime.

Dr. Alice Kuyayama is an education and teacher training expert based at the University of Zimbabwe, specializing in Early Childhood Development, with over 30 years of experience in teacher education, research, innovation, community development, and curriculum design, implementation, and evaluation.

Alice played a key role in integrating child protection and safeguarding issues into the ECD pre-service Teacher Education program. She has also provided consultancy services to organizations such as UNICEF, UNESCO, the Education Coalition of Zimbabwe, the ministries of Education in Zimbabwe, the Namibian Council of Higher Education, the Zimbabwe Council of Higher Education, as well as local and international universities. Additionally, she has delivered keynote speeches at international conferences on Early Childhood Development and Social Practice and Justice issues. Alice has published extensively on the learning and development of children in diverse contexts. Currently, she serves as Chair of the Centre for Teacher Education and Materials Development (CTEMD) at the University of Zimbabwe, overseeing the quality delivery of goods and services to 19 Associate Teacher Education Colleges of the University of Zimbabwe.

Dr. Admark Moyo is a senior lecturer at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, specialising in Children’s Rights and Family Law. He conducts extensive research and supervises postgraduate students in this field. Since 2021, he has served as an External Expert in the Working Group on Children with Disabilities in Africa, part of the African Union Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC).

Dr. Moyo has extensive experience in producing high-quality research on legal and policy matters affecting children in Africa. His publications have been cited by top regional courts and leading authorities in various countries. He also provides technical advisory services on the rule of law, governance, and human rights in Africa to Civil Society Organizations, governments, and African Union agencies.

He collaborates with (sub)regional bodies and non-state actors in the field of children’s rights and supports the ACERWC in producing high-level continental study reports, normative frameworks, and guidelines on various thematic issues affecting children in Africa.

Moderator: Kathryn Bailey, Operations Director, Ethical Data Initiative

Compere: Agyemang Okyere, Programmes Assistant, Association of African Universities; and AAU TV Presenter.