The Better Internet for Kids (BIK) Policy monitor is a tool used to compare and exchange knowledge on policy making and implementation in EU Member States, Iceland and Norway on the pillars and recommendations of the European Strategy for a Better Internet for Children (BIK+ strategy). The 2024 edition of the BIK Policy Monitor report examines the implementation of the BIK+ strategy in 29 European countries, including all EU Member States, Iceland, and Norway.
Here, we take an in-depth look at the latest monitoring information for Latvia.
BIK policies
Policy design asks whether evidence and research support BIK-related policies and whether systems are in place for monitoring and evaluating those policies.
Policy frameworks
Policy frameworks describe the overarching approach for a better internet, and establish the underlying goals, principles and guidelines that shape individual policies within this area.
In Latvia:
- This topic is an important and emerging policy priority, with children’s online protection, digital empowerment, and digital participation partially covered in national/regional laws, regulations and policies.
- There are separate, dedicated policies that address children and the digital environment (protection, empowerment, and participation).
- The BIK/BIK+ strategy is not explicitly referred to in national policies but has informed policy development on children and the digital environment.
- National/regional policies and policy documents do not refer to children's rights in the digital environment.
| High | Medium | Low | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage of BIK+ issues in national policies | X | |||
| Integration of policy provision | X | |||
| Influence on the BIK+ strategy | X | |||
| Recognition of children's rights | X |
Policy design
Policy design asks whether evidence and research support BIK-related policies and whether systems are in place for monitoring and evaluating those policies.
- Surveys of children’s digital activities are undertaken but only irregularly.
- There is no system in place at the government level to gather information on children and the digital environment.
- There is little or no funding available for research on children and the digital environment.
- Policies are monitored and evaluated but not systematically. It depends on the needs at a particular time or when policies are being considered.
| High | Medium | Low | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular data collection | X | |||
| Other information supports | X | |||
| National research fund | X | |||
| Monitoring and evaluation | X |
Policy governance
Policy governance examines how policies are coordinated at the governmental level, whether other implementation bodies are involved in their delivery, and whether structured mechanisms are available to guide their implementation.
- Policy development sits across a range of ministries, and no lead is specifically assigned responsibility for developing government policies, guidelines, and programmes related to children and the digital environment.
- There is no coordination mechanism in place: policies, guidelines and programmes relating to children and the digital environment tend to be implemented independently of one another.
- Government policy has yet to be developed into an implementable action plan at this point.
| High | Medium | Low | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead ministry for policy development | X | |||
| National coordination body | X | |||
| National action plan or strategy | X |
Stakeholder involvement
Stakeholder involvement enquires how different stakeholders can participate in policy development. Children’s involvement in policy-making is one such key issue. Additionally, international knowledge exchange about children's digital participation is also relevant to this topic.
- A formal mechanism has yet to be created at the government level for stakeholder groups to contribute to policy deliberation and development.
- A system has yet to be established whereby members of the public are routinely consulted when developing new policies.
- Children are not consulted either directly or indirectly in the development of policies on the digital environment
- Policymakers are not actively involved in international knowledge exchange activities on this topic.
| High | Medium | Low | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stakeholder forum | X | |||
| Public consultation | X | |||
| Involvement of young people | X | |||
| International knowledge exchange |
|
| X |
|
BIK+ actions
Pillar 1 – safe digital experiences
Safe digital experiences refer to actions taken to protect children from harmful and illegal online content, conduct, contact, and risks as young consumers and to improve their well-being online through a safe, age-appropriate digital environment created in a way that respects children’s best interests.
Responses to EU laws
- Amendments to the Information Society Services Law came into force in June 2024, implementing the Digital Services Act (DSA) requirements into Latvian regulations. The Consumer Rights Protection Centre (PTAC) will be the Digital Services Coordinator in Latvia, tasked with performing all the functions designated to competent authorities under the DSA, including monitoring how intermediary service providers comply with the obligations set out in the DSA.
- With the amendments to the law, PTAC is granted the powers necessary to enforce and monitor compliance with the Digital Services Act. PTAC will have the right to request information from individuals, conduct on-site inspections without a court order or other type of permission, and conduct and record interviews with employees of intermediary service providers. To ensure DSA compliance, PTAC can issue decisions requiring intermediary service providers to cease DSA violations, including temporary decisions, and impose fines on individuals.
Addressing harmful online content
- There is no specific definition of harmful content included in national laws. However, there are some specific regulations in criminal law regarding offenses against children, such as violation of rules regarding pornographic performance and circulation of pornographic material.
Addressing harmful online conduct
- National laws and policies to protect children from cyberbullying are addressed under the legal regulations of emotional violence: emotional violence — harming the child's self-esteem or psychological influence (threatening him, cursing, humiliating him, violently treating his loved one in the presence of the child or otherwise harming his emotional development).
- Laws to protect children from intimate image abuse include criminal law provisions for offenses against children regarding sexual integrity, violation of the rules of showing a pornographic performance, restricting entertainment of an intimate nature and circulation of pornographic material.
Age verification and digital identity systems
- There are no national/regional laws, technical standards or policies regarding age verification mechanisms to restrict minors from accessing adult online content services.
- There are no digital identity systems available for minors.
| In place | In development | Not in place | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSA legislation enacted | X | |||
| Codes of practice of digital services | X | |||
| Consumer code of practice | X | |||
| Definition of harmful content | X | |||
| Children’s complaints mechanism | X | |||
| Bodies can order content removal | X | |||
| Intimate image abuse laws | X | |||
| Cyberbullying laws | X | |||
| Age verification for adult content | X | |||
| Digital identity systems | X |
Pillar 2 – digital empowerment
Digital empowerment incorporates actions so that all children, including those in vulnerable situations, acquire the necessary skills and competences to make sound choices and express themselves in the online environment safely and responsibly.
Supports in formal and informal education
- The Latvian Safer Internet Centre and Child Protection Centre provide a range of teaching and education regarding online safety, including teacher trainings. However, online safety itself is not incorporated into any national school curriculums or initiatives.
Empowering through digital skills
- In Latvia, measures to support digital skills development and media literacy among children, as well as initiatives to combat hate speech are currently being developed. In doing so, the Latvian Safer Internet Centre and the Child Protection Centre collaborate with non-governmental centres such as “DARDEDZE”.
| In place | In development | Not in place | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching online safety | X | |||
| Online safety policies in schools | X | |||
| Adequate teacher training | X | |||
| Informal education about online safety | X | |||
| Peer-to-peer training in online safety | X | |||
| Support for digital literacy skills | X | |||
| Children’s media literacy | X | |||
| Challenge hate speech/digital civil courage | X |
Pillar 3 – active participation, respecting children’s rights
Active participation, respecting children’s rights, refers to actions which give children and young people a say in the digital environment, with more child-led activities to foster innovative and creative safe digital experiences.
Active participation, inclusivity and digital creativity
- To draw attention to the online risks faced by young people, such as cyberbullying, grooming, illegal content, manipulation, sexting and other issues, several advertisements resembling short stories or real-life situations depicting the challenges faced by young people were broadcast on national TV with the help of national media from December 14, 2023, to December 31, 2023.
- In December 2023, live online discussions took place and were broadcast on the Facebook platform (after December 4, 2023, the recorded video is available on Facebook) regarding the habits of preschool and young children in using smart devices, discussing their benefits and risks. The discussion involved two mothers who shared their experiences regarding family usage habits, maintaining a healthy balance between social media usage, meaningful time spending, setting boundaries and educating young and vulnerable users to be safe and efficient online. Additionally, a neuropsychologist, Anita Zdanovica, participated in the discussion, sharing the latest research findings, neuroscientific explanations and useful information about the best practice of less harmful practices of using smart devices for children aged 1-7. A Latvian Safer Internet Centre representative, Maija Katkovska, also took part in the discussion and shared topics on safe online measures and parents’ responsibility for managing and educating kids about a safe internet environment.
- The “Let`s Play” conference took place in a hybrid format on 11th May 2023, and the main idea was to highlight the positive aspects and benefits of computer games. Games have taken on a new form and essence, moving from the physical to the virtual realm, carrying both the opportunity to develop various skills and risks. Therefore, it was crucial to discuss and analyse this vital component of children's and youth's lives, finding both rational and beneficial aspects in it. Participants were senior students and educators from educational institutions.
| In place | In development | Not in place | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities to promote active participation | X | |||
| Laws that mandate youth participation | X | |||
| Awareness raising on children’s rights | X | |||
| Inclusiveness regarding active participation | X | |||
| Child-friendly versions of policy documents | X | |||
| Positive digital content | X | |||
| Activities encouraging digital creativity | X |
Read the full Policy monitor country profile for some best practice examples from Latvia.
BIK+ index 2024: Latvia
The BIK+ index has been developed to provide an aggregated at-a-glance overview of the levels of implementation across the two dimensions, BIK policies and BIK+ actions, in Latvia compared to the EU27+2 average. Values are shown in per cent.
Please note, the data used in this page and the corresponding country profile was collected in February 2024.
English
English
Here, we take an in-depth look at the latest monitoring information for Latvia.
BIK policies
Policy design asks whether evidence and research support BIK-related policies and whether systems are in place for monitoring and evaluating those policies.
Policy frameworks
Policy frameworks describe the overarching approach for a better internet, and establish the underlying goals, principles and guidelines that shape individual policies within this area.
In Latvia:
- This topic is an important and emerging policy priority, with children’s online protection, digital empowerment, and digital participation partially covered in national/regional laws, regulations and policies.
- There are separate, dedicated policies that address children and the digital environment (protection, empowerment, and participation).
- The BIK/BIK+ strategy is not explicitly referred to in national policies but has informed policy development on children and the digital environment.
- National/regional policies and policy documents do not refer to children's rights in the digital environment.
| High | Medium | Low | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage of BIK+ issues in national policies | X | |||
| Integration of policy provision | X | |||
| Influence on the BIK+ strategy | X | |||
| Recognition of children's rights | X |
Policy design
Policy design asks whether evidence and research support BIK-related policies and whether systems are in place for monitoring and evaluating those policies.
- Surveys of children’s digital activities are undertaken but only irregularly.
- There is no system in place at the government level to gather information on children and the digital environment.
- There is little or no funding available for research on children and the digital environment.
- Policies are monitored and evaluated but not systematically. It depends on the needs at a particular time or when policies are being considered.
| High | Medium | Low | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular data collection | X | |||
| Other information supports | X | |||
| National research fund | X | |||
| Monitoring and evaluation | X |
Policy governance
Policy governance examines how policies are coordinated at the governmental level, whether other implementation bodies are involved in their delivery, and whether structured mechanisms are available to guide their implementation.
- Policy development sits across a range of ministries, and no lead is specifically assigned responsibility for developing government policies, guidelines, and programmes related to children and the digital environment.
- There is no coordination mechanism in place: policies, guidelines and programmes relating to children and the digital environment tend to be implemented independently of one another.
- Government policy has yet to be developed into an implementable action plan at this point.
| High | Medium | Low | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead ministry for policy development | X | |||
| National coordination body | X | |||
| National action plan or strategy | X |
Stakeholder involvement
Stakeholder involvement enquires how different stakeholders can participate in policy development. Children’s involvement in policy-making is one such key issue. Additionally, international knowledge exchange about children's digital participation is also relevant to this topic.
- A formal mechanism has yet to be created at the government level for stakeholder groups to contribute to policy deliberation and development.
- A system has yet to be established whereby members of the public are routinely consulted when developing new policies.
- Children are not consulted either directly or indirectly in the development of policies on the digital environment
- Policymakers are not actively involved in international knowledge exchange activities on this topic.
| High | Medium | Low | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stakeholder forum | X | |||
| Public consultation | X | |||
| Involvement of young people | X | |||
| International knowledge exchange |
|
| X |
|
BIK+ actions
Pillar 1 – safe digital experiences
Safe digital experiences refer to actions taken to protect children from harmful and illegal online content, conduct, contact, and risks as young consumers and to improve their well-being online through a safe, age-appropriate digital environment created in a way that respects children’s best interests.
Responses to EU laws
- Amendments to the Information Society Services Law came into force in June 2024, implementing the Digital Services Act (DSA) requirements into Latvian regulations. The Consumer Rights Protection Centre (PTAC) will be the Digital Services Coordinator in Latvia, tasked with performing all the functions designated to competent authorities under the DSA, including monitoring how intermediary service providers comply with the obligations set out in the DSA.
- With the amendments to the law, PTAC is granted the powers necessary to enforce and monitor compliance with the Digital Services Act. PTAC will have the right to request information from individuals, conduct on-site inspections without a court order or other type of permission, and conduct and record interviews with employees of intermediary service providers. To ensure DSA compliance, PTAC can issue decisions requiring intermediary service providers to cease DSA violations, including temporary decisions, and impose fines on individuals.
Addressing harmful online content
- There is no specific definition of harmful content included in national laws. However, there are some specific regulations in criminal law regarding offenses against children, such as violation of rules regarding pornographic performance and circulation of pornographic material.
Addressing harmful online conduct
- National laws and policies to protect children from cyberbullying are addressed under the legal regulations of emotional violence: emotional violence — harming the child's self-esteem or psychological influence (threatening him, cursing, humiliating him, violently treating his loved one in the presence of the child or otherwise harming his emotional development).
- Laws to protect children from intimate image abuse include criminal law provisions for offenses against children regarding sexual integrity, violation of the rules of showing a pornographic performance, restricting entertainment of an intimate nature and circulation of pornographic material.
Age verification and digital identity systems
- There are no national/regional laws, technical standards or policies regarding age verification mechanisms to restrict minors from accessing adult online content services.
- There are no digital identity systems available for minors.
| In place | In development | Not in place | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSA legislation enacted | X | |||
| Codes of practice of digital services | X | |||
| Consumer code of practice | X | |||
| Definition of harmful content | X | |||
| Children’s complaints mechanism | X | |||
| Bodies can order content removal | X | |||
| Intimate image abuse laws | X | |||
| Cyberbullying laws | X | |||
| Age verification for adult content | X | |||
| Digital identity systems | X |
Pillar 2 – digital empowerment
Digital empowerment incorporates actions so that all children, including those in vulnerable situations, acquire the necessary skills and competences to make sound choices and express themselves in the online environment safely and responsibly.
Supports in formal and informal education
- The Latvian Safer Internet Centre and Child Protection Centre provide a range of teaching and education regarding online safety, including teacher trainings. However, online safety itself is not incorporated into any national school curriculums or initiatives.
Empowering through digital skills
- In Latvia, measures to support digital skills development and media literacy among children, as well as initiatives to combat hate speech are currently being developed. In doing so, the Latvian Safer Internet Centre and the Child Protection Centre collaborate with non-governmental centres such as “DARDEDZE”.
| In place | In development | Not in place | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching online safety | X | |||
| Online safety policies in schools | X | |||
| Adequate teacher training | X | |||
| Informal education about online safety | X | |||
| Peer-to-peer training in online safety | X | |||
| Support for digital literacy skills | X | |||
| Children’s media literacy | X | |||
| Challenge hate speech/digital civil courage | X |
Pillar 3 – active participation, respecting children’s rights
Active participation, respecting children’s rights, refers to actions which give children and young people a say in the digital environment, with more child-led activities to foster innovative and creative safe digital experiences.
Active participation, inclusivity and digital creativity
- To draw attention to the online risks faced by young people, such as cyberbullying, grooming, illegal content, manipulation, sexting and other issues, several advertisements resembling short stories or real-life situations depicting the challenges faced by young people were broadcast on national TV with the help of national media from December 14, 2023, to December 31, 2023.
- In December 2023, live online discussions took place and were broadcast on the Facebook platform (after December 4, 2023, the recorded video is available on Facebook) regarding the habits of preschool and young children in using smart devices, discussing their benefits and risks. The discussion involved two mothers who shared their experiences regarding family usage habits, maintaining a healthy balance between social media usage, meaningful time spending, setting boundaries and educating young and vulnerable users to be safe and efficient online. Additionally, a neuropsychologist, Anita Zdanovica, participated in the discussion, sharing the latest research findings, neuroscientific explanations and useful information about the best practice of less harmful practices of using smart devices for children aged 1-7. A Latvian Safer Internet Centre representative, Maija Katkovska, also took part in the discussion and shared topics on safe online measures and parents’ responsibility for managing and educating kids about a safe internet environment.
- The “Let`s Play” conference took place in a hybrid format on 11th May 2023, and the main idea was to highlight the positive aspects and benefits of computer games. Games have taken on a new form and essence, moving from the physical to the virtual realm, carrying both the opportunity to develop various skills and risks. Therefore, it was crucial to discuss and analyse this vital component of children's and youth's lives, finding both rational and beneficial aspects in it. Participants were senior students and educators from educational institutions.
| In place | In development | Not in place | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities to promote active participation | X | |||
| Laws that mandate youth participation | X | |||
| Awareness raising on children’s rights | X | |||
| Inclusiveness regarding active participation | X | |||
| Child-friendly versions of policy documents | X | |||
| Positive digital content | X | |||
| Activities encouraging digital creativity | X |
Read the full Policy monitor country profile for some best practice examples from Latvia.
BIK+ index 2024: Latvia
The BIK+ index has been developed to provide an aggregated at-a-glance overview of the levels of implementation across the two dimensions, BIK policies and BIK+ actions, in Latvia compared to the EU27+2 average. Values are shown in per cent.
Please note, the data used in this page and the corresponding country profile was collected in February 2024.
English
National rules and guidelines
