Children’s Rights Commissioner Calls for Stricter Laws to Protect the Youngest
As many as 97 percent of young people recognize harmful online phenomena, with hate speech, stalking, and unauthorized image publication being the most concerning – according to a PBS study commissioned by the Children’s Rights Commissioner. Monika Horna-Cieślak, who holds the position, is calling for legal changes to enhance child protection. Proposed measures include banning specific individuals from posting online and implementing effective age verification tools to restrict access to harmful content.
“Young people tell us that the internet exposes them to hate, cyberbullying, harmful live streams, and explicit content they should never encounter. While the internet is a space for learning and socializing, many children also fear it because of these risks,” Horna-Cieślak said.
The study, conducted among 12- to 17-year-olds, found that only 1 percent of respondents see no online threats. The most serious concerns identified were hate speech (84 percent), stalking (77 percent), and unauthorized image publication (74 percent).
(Newseria)
