On 27 October 2021, the Council of Europe project Combating violence against children in the Republic of Moldova organised an online event on presenting and discussing the Committee of Ministers Recommendations on the Guidelines to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of the child in the digital environment.
The purpose of the guidelines is to assist states and other relevant stakeholders in their efforts to adopt a comprehensive, strategic approach in building and containing the complex world of the digital environment. Ensuring children’s interaction and safety in this environment is paramount. Among the many topics covered are the protection of personal data, provision of child-friendly content adapted to their evolving capacities, helplines and hotlines, vulnerability and resilience, as well as the role and responsibilities of business enterprises. In addition, the guidelines call upon states to engage with children, including in decision-making processes, to ensure that national policies adequately address developments in the digital environment.
The Meeting entailed a short presentation of the international consultant John Carr, who participated at the development of the Handbook for policy makers on the rights of the child in the digital environment (based on the Guidelines to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of the child in the digital environment), as well as discussions on the current national challenges, actions and necessary interventions.
Representatives of relevant Parliamentary Commissions, Ministry of Education and Research, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, State Chancellery took part in the online event.
”There are different risks for children in the digital environment. Such risks include sexual exploitation and abuse, cyberaggression and harassment, incitement to suicide, exposure to harmful content, privacy violations and exploitative digital marketing practices. Therefore, the protection of children in the digital age requires thorough efforts of the government, the private sector and the wider community. With vigilant efforts and collaboration, all challenges could be determined and interventions to ensure protection of every child provided”, stressed William Massolin, the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau.
”At the moment, fragmentary measures are being taken at national level in order to protect children online. That is why we must combine our efforts to create a tandem to ensure a safe online and social environment for children" specified Angela Munteanu-Pojoga, Secretary of the Parliamentary Commission on Human Rights and Interethnic Relations.
”The virtual world is a reality that requires rules developed to ensure quality services, respect for human rights, especially the rights of the child. I hope that the information provided during this event will help us in our legislative review processes” mentioned Daniela-Misail Nichitin, Head of the Cabinet of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova.
The event contributes towards achieving the Project’s immediate outcome 1 “Increased awareness on child sexual exploitation and abuse and the rights of the child in the digital environment”.