General Comment No. 17 clarifies the content and scope of Article 31 CRC, which recognises children’s rights to rest and leisure, play and recreation appropriate to their age, and participation in cultural life and the arts. The Committee emphasises that these rights are not merely secondary or recreational interests, but are essential to children’s development, well-being, health, creativity, learning, social relationships and evolving capacities. It stresses that children must be able to exercise these rights freely and without discrimination and that States must create the environmental, legislative, policy and budgetary conditions necessary for their enjoyment. The General Comment also links Article 31 to other Convention rights, particularly the principles of non-discrimination, the best interests of the child, development and the right to be heard.
The Committee also recognises that children's leisure, recreation, cultural and artistic activities increasingly take place through digital platforms and media. It therefore calls for online access and accessibility to be accompanied by appropriate safety measures and for children to be empowered and informed so that they can navigate digital environments safely, act as responsible participants and report abuse or inappropriate activity. At the same time, the General Comment emphasises that States retain positive obligations to respect, protect and fulfil Article 31 rights, including by preventing third parties from restricting them and by ensuring equal access to recreational, cultural and artistic opportunities.
Entities responsible for implementation: UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
General Comment No. 17 clarifies the content and scope of Article 31 CRC, which recognises children’s rights to rest and leisure, play and recreation appropriate to their age, and participation in cultural life and the arts. The Committee emphasises that these rights are not merely secondary or recreational interests, but are essential to children’s development, well-being, health, creativity, learning, social relationships and evolving capacities. It stresses that children must be able to exercise these rights freely and without discrimination and that States must create the environmental, legislative, policy and budgetary conditions necessary for their enjoyment. The General Comment also links Article 31 to other Convention rights, particularly the principles of non-discrimination, the best interests of the child, development and the right to be heard.
The Committee also recognises that children's leisure, recreation, cultural and artistic activities increasingly take place through digital platforms and media. It therefore calls for online access and accessibility to be accompanied by appropriate safety measures and for children to be empowered and informed so that they can navigate digital environments safely, act as responsible participants and report abuse or inappropriate activity. At the same time, the General Comment emphasises that States retain positive obligations to respect, protect and fulfil Article 31 rights, including by preventing third parties from restricting them and by ensuring equal access to recreational, cultural and artistic opportunities.
Entities responsible for implementation: UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
- online safety
