The Manifesto argues that children’s data require a distinct, child-centred data governance approach because children are more vulnerable than adults and may be less able to understand the long-term consequences of data collection and use. It stresses that children’s data are collected by a wide range of actors, including governments, technology companies, data brokers, schools and parents, and that these data can affect decisions concerning children’s present and future lives.
The report therefore calls for governance frameworks that integrate children’s rights, privacy, protection, well-being and participation across the entire data lifecycle, rather than relying primarily on consent or individual control. Among the main concerns identified are surveillance and tracking, profiling and micro-targeting, algorithmic bias and discrimination, inadequate consideration of children’s evolving capacities, and weaknesses in existing consent and representation frameworks.
The Manifesto proposes ten broad actions, including prioritising the best interests of the child, considering children’s different identities and evolving capacities, shifting responsibility for data protection from children towards governments and companies, involving children in data governance, representing their interests in administrative and judicial processes, strengthening regulatory resources, and increasing international cooperation.
Entities responsible for implementation: UNICEF
The Manifesto argues that children’s data require a distinct, child-centred data governance approach because children are more vulnerable than adults and may be less able to understand the long-term consequences of data collection and use. It stresses that children’s data are collected by a wide range of actors, including governments, technology companies, data brokers, schools and parents, and that these data can affect decisions concerning children’s present and future lives.
The report therefore calls for governance frameworks that integrate children’s rights, privacy, protection, well-being and participation across the entire data lifecycle, rather than relying primarily on consent or individual control. Among the main concerns identified are surveillance and tracking, profiling and micro-targeting, algorithmic bias and discrimination, inadequate consideration of children’s evolving capacities, and weaknesses in existing consent and representation frameworks.
The Manifesto proposes ten broad actions, including prioritising the best interests of the child, considering children’s different identities and evolving capacities, shifting responsibility for data protection from children towards governments and companies, involving children in data governance, representing their interests in administrative and judicial processes, strengthening regulatory resources, and increasing international cooperation.
Entities responsible for implementation: UNICEF
- data protection data privacy no-consent
