A side event on “China's Practices in Addressing Cyberbullying against Children” took place at the 54th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland on Oct. 4. Co-hosted by the China Federation of Internet Societies (CFIS) and the Beijing Children’s Legal Aid and Research Center, representatives from various organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), gathered to discuss solutions to cyberbullying among children and foster international collaboration.
CFIS has actively worked to protect minors online and combat cyberbullying. CFIS has established a dedicated committee, participated in child online protection initiatives at the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF), and launched online educational programs. Collaborating with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), CFIS conducted research on minors’ online safety.
During the side event, a call was made for the United Nations to enhance governance of children’s rights in the digital era and for the international community and countries around the world to take positive actions to protect children in the digital era. Specific recommendations include the UN should establish special mechanisms and countries should improve laws and policies, and guide digital platforms to adhere to United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and actively fulfill their social responsibility. The aim is for internet platforms to become significant forces in protecting children’s rights in the digital era, thus better realizing children’s rights and safeguarding them from online abuse.
Representatives from Chinese Internet companies, self-media practitioners, and youth delegates spoke at the event. Personnel from international and Chinese social organizations and universities, such as the International Bridges to Justice (IBJ), China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Chunhui Children’s Foundation, University of Lausanne, and University of Geneva, attended the event.