(Note: This policy recommendation has been reviewed by Rubina Adhikari, Navina Mutabazi, and Juan Felipe Montenegro. These young leaders have participated in youth engagement activities related to the UN World Data Forum through the Commitment to Data Governance Fit for Children, a pioneering initiative led by UNICEF’s Data Governance Fit for Children programme. Their insights have greatly enriched this work, and we sincerely appreciate their valuable contributions.) 

Introduction

Children and youth have become deeply integrated into today’s digital ecosystems, but the governance of their data remains a pressing issue. We live amid a proliferation of digital platforms, AI-driven technologies, and online gaming, but regulation and governance struggle to keep pace. 

While the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes children's right to privacy and participation, global digital governance frameworks often fail to adequately protect and fulfil their rights. UNICEF has also been a vocal advocate for better governance of children's data and youth engagement. Still, it is not clear if UNICEF alone is enough in a complex ecosystem that includes governments, companies, and more. 

This piece explores actionable policy measures to address data governance fit for children, drawing from youth engagement insights led by UNICEF’s Data Governance Fit for Children (DG4C) programme at the UN World Data Forum (UNWDF), youth article campaigns and research on existing global practices.

Policy Context 

Due to different infrastructure and governance capacity levels, countries in the Global North and Global South face distinct challenges when handling children's data. The former tend to have more resources to develop data technologies and systems, with commercial interests potentially hindering children's digital rights. These advances are at times enabled by testing periods in less regulated environments of the Global South, where countries struggle to use them in a protective fashion for their people.

Even in jurisdictions with end-to-end regulation frameworks, such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, there are still irresponsible practices regarding children's data. This problem is partially due to general enforcement gaps—such as difficulties in regulating cross-border data flows—and the difficulties of catching up with the rapidly evolving technological landscape, including advancements in AI.

At the same time, children's rights are often more recognized in narratives that frame them as recipients of protection. Their right to participate in decision-making and contribute their unique insights is often overlooked. Their rights can be obscured by age-generic approaches in policies, policies that regard children as immature actors in need of guidance. 

These policies fail to consider their development and how their needs change as they grow.

These issues are important given the large role children play online. With an estimated one-third of internet users under 18, children's digital interactions generate vast amounts of data. Poor data governance exposes them to serious risks—such as privacy violations through unlawful data collection and commercial exploitation, as well as discrimination. Algorithmic bias can reinforce inequalities, particularly for children in the Global South or from marginalized groups. Weak protections also leave their information vulnerable to breaches, re-identification, and misuse. Beyond security, unchecked data practices can also cause psychological harm. 

That is why policymakers need to take data governance fit for children seriously, not just listening to young people, but recognizing and strengthening their agency, empowering them as leaders to shape policies themselves. To build a safer digital world for children, policymakers need to treat them as equal stakeholders and respect their needs and voices. Only then can policies be developed that truly act in their best interests. 

Key Insights

1. Children and youth have a growing understanding of data; As they become more immersed in digital spaces, their awareness of data deepens. 

In one of the pre-UNWDF exchange sessions that the DG4C programme held with over 30 young leaders from UNICEF's Generation Unlimited, attendees from across the world shared how their perception of data has changed over time. 

When asked what they thought about data when they were younger, many recalled that they didn't think much of it, seeing it as a math-related term or administrative record. However, their understanding expanded after experiencing how data is everywhere in this rapidly developing digital age. They have come to realize that the meaning of data has broadened tremendously. It is not just numbers, but rather—in their terms—a collection of records from various sources, from social media posts to healthcare archives, holding great power to shape their lives. 

This growing awareness indicates that, with the prevalence of datafication, children and youth today are becoming more data-literate. Given this, it shouldn’t be too difficult to equip them with the vital knowledge and skills they need to survive an increasingly data-driven world. Besides, young people are in need of such education and exposure to become more aware of risks and opportunities associated with data, so that they can make more informed decisions. 

2. Children and youth recognize the potential of data but also the risks. They sometimes struggle to understand how their data is collected and used and what they can do to protect their privacy and rights. 

At the UNWDF, five young representatives from the Commitment to DG4C had the opportunity to interview senior global leaders from government statistical authorities, international organizations, and data-focused NGOs.  

The representatives were enthusiastic about data's “greater good” possibilities for society. They were eager, for example, to learn how children's data could be processed to enhance educational opportunities, as well as how they could develop their own data literacy to prepare for and contribute to a better digital future. 

While discussing their concerns, they repeatedly questioned the transparency of global data practices. They were most concerned with unauthorized access to their data and misuse of it. Many stressed the urgent need for greater responsibility and accountability throughout the data's lifecycle. 

However, the participants noted that most children and youth lack the knowledge to meaningfully mitigate these risks. During the pre-event discussion session, participants expressed frustration over the complexity of data policies and the use of ambiguous, overly technical language by those handling their data. They also highlighted the need for structured data education, urging schools to integrate data literacy into their curricula, as many felt their parents were short of the expertise to support them. 

3. Children and youth are aware of the disparities in data infrastructure and data governance in our world, particularly in underserved regions and marginalized communities, and advocate for urgent attention and action. 

In the youth-moderated cross-generational breakfast discussion at the UNWDF, 18 youth representatives from diverse backgrounds spoke out about the unequal distribution of data resources.  

Using their firsthand experiences, representatives shared how some communities in the Global South still lack essential data infrastructure, preventing them from benefiting from data-driven opportunities. A young leader also pointed out in the pre-event discussion that, since most major AI models are trained in mainstream languages like English, they are likely to be biased against other regions of the world. They urged senior policymakers to take real action to close this gap, ensuring that disadvantaged areas are not left out in the digital era. Without serious reform and investment, the digital divide will only perpetuate. 

Meanwhile, participants were worried about gender minority visibility and gender bias in data collection. A representative questioned whether existing data frameworks actually capture gender diversity at the UNWDF, challenging the level of existing data inclusivity. 

Similarly, during the pre-event discussion, one attendee pointed out that gender bias in data is not only an oversight but has real consequences, for example, in resource allocation. 

4. Children and youth call for meaningful inclusion in data-related decision-making. They want a real seat at the digital table, rather than being merely symbolic participants. 

A recurring theme in the pre-event article campaign, an initiative soliciting youth voices about responsible data, was the desire for meaningful institutionalized youth participation in data governance discussions.  

Nearly two-thirds of the submissions mentioned the importance of youth involvement in data policymaking. In one particularly compelling article, a 17-year-old argued for their rightful presence at the “digital table.” The author pointed out that “data is our most precious asset when we are online, but often, we are powerless, victims to the companies and advertisers scraping our data and selling it to the highest bidder,” calling for a more sincere attitude towards youth in digital policymaking. 

In a recent webinar organized by UN Data Strategy, two young advocates reflected on their experience in the UNWDF. As they reported, mere presence is not enough; their people must be meaningfully consulted and engaged in shaping the future of data governance, as it also affects them. 

5. Children and youth are intrigued by AI and what it could mean for their lives, but they are also worried about how it might harm them. They have an ardent desire to learn about this rapidly developing technology. 

Throughout the youth-led engagement sessions before, during, and after the UNWDF, AI emerged as one of the most frequently discussed topics.  

From improving conflict prediction in humanitarian rescues to advancing personalized education, young people see AI as a powerful tool that can transform many aspects of our lives. They are keen to learn how this technology actually works and how it can be better leveraged to benefit humankind. 

Children and youth are also worried about AI's negative impacts. One main concern is the creation and spread of misinformation, which could magnify the complexity of social problems. They also questioned the fairness and bias in AI algorithms, together with a lack of transparency and invasion of privacy. Given the heterogeneous state of regulatory frameworks across the world and the rapid development of AI, discrepancies in governance and oversight have posed pressing challenges that demand urgent solutions.

Policy Recommendations 

Based on the recollection of insights from our recent youth-led engagement activities, the DG4C programme proposes the following five policy recommendations, some of which have been included in the young representative's declaration presented during the forum's closing ceremony, reaching an audience of 2,700 attendees, including global policymakers, data experts, and civil society leaders. 

1. Reform and strengthen data governance frameworks to prioritize children's rights while continuously improving them to suit the evolving digital world. 

A UNICEF manifesto has indicated that existing data governance systems are insufficient to protect and empower children. Despite more resources being poured into this field, it remains a challenge.

To enhance data governance frameworks that put children's rights first, governments, research institutions, international organizations, and relevant companies should take proactive steps to: 

• Invest in evidence-based research to document youth voices and needs in data governance, ensuring the governance system considers the needs and concerns of young people, particularly those from marginalized communities.
• Conduct comprehensive audits on existing data frameworks based on these insights and other successful practices to assess their fitness for purposes with regard to the protection of and promotion of children's rights, including but not limited to the consent mechanisms, data collection practices, and security protocols. 
• Implement child-specific safeguards, such as default high-privacy settings, strict age verification, and limits on data tracking, to prevent misuse and exploitation of children's data, fixing problems and filling gaps identified in the audits.
• Develop a comprehensive legal structure that aligns national laws with global standards like the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ensuring consistency in protecting children's rights. 
• Keep policies up to date with, or even ahead of, the fast-changing digital landscape to ensure their effectiveness and efficiency, especially regarding newly emerging risks associated with AI, such as biometric data misuse and digital identity theft.

One useful resource is Responsible Data for Children (RD4C), a joint initiative by UNICEF at the Chief Data Office and The GovLab at NYU that offers a principles-led framework, tailorable guidance and practical tools to help organizations adopt inclusive, child-rights centered and responsible data practices throughout the data lifecycle. 

2. Promote international collaboration to bridge digital and data equity gaps. 

Fulfilling the inequalities in digital access and data governance requires global coordination. International organizations, governments and the private sector should work together to: 

• Increase investment in digital infrastructure for underserved regions, ensuring equitable access to data-driven opportunities and closing the digital divide. 
• Foster cross-border collaboration by sharing knowledge gained and lessons learned in practice, allowing regions in need to adapt effective policies to their unique local contexts, as well as providing financial support. 
• Make sure data collection reflects diversity, especially when it comes to gender minorities and marginalized communities, so that data-driven policies do not reinforce existing inequalities. 

International organizations, such as the United Nations (especially the ITU), the World Bank, and other regional networks like the African Union, can play a pivotal role in facilitating dialogue, mobilizing resources, and setting global standards for ethical and inclusive data governance fit for children. The Commitment to DG4C also contributes to this purpose, bringing together coalition members from government and academic institution to NGOs and private companies. 

3. Invest in capacity building and data literacy, with a particular focus on AI education. 

Our children today are the very first generation of citizens to be datafied, with their personal information collected even before their birth. As digital technologies advance, companies, governments, and other actors have an unprecedented ability to collect and analyze children's data. Meanwhile, AI systems are becoming more embedded in their daily lives. Without strong data and AI literacy, young people will be vulnerable to many risks, including but not limited to misinformation, algorithmic bias, and privacy threats.

To address this and respond to young people's desire to learn more, governments and educational institutions can: 

• Integrate data and AI literacy into school curricula, ensuring young people understand how their data is collected, stored, and used, how AI systems are developed and operate, as well as how they can better protect themselves while making the most of the technologies. 
• Build virtual learning hubs beyond the traditional education system (especially in regions where in-person education is challenging) and develop accessible learning resources that break down complex data and AI-related concepts into age-appropriate content. 
• Support children by supporting adults, equipping teachers (and even parents) with the necessary knowledge and tools to educate students and children about responsible data practice and their digital rights. 

UNICEF Innocenti’s foresight toolkit is a valuable resource to encourage young people to imagine what responsible data governance looks like for them in an ideal digital future. The DG4C programme is also driving efforts towards this goal in collaboration with UN Global Pulse in Uganda. 

With all stakeholders working together, a data-literate next generation will not only be better equipped to advocate for their own rights, but also be better positioned to shape a more open data governance framework and build a more equitable digital future. 

4. Ensure more responsible and authentic youth engagement. 

Children and youth are typically portrayed as recipients of data protection, yet policymakers must remember that they also have the right as well as the capability to shape their own digital future. There must be efforts to balance data protection and self-determination as well as efforts to engage them actively in the policy-making process. 

To ensure meaningful and diverse youth engagement, governments, international organizations, and private sectors should: 

• Establish youth advisory councils within international and national data governance bodies to institutionalize youth participation in data governance. While some organizations, governments and tech companies have taken action, efforts remain insufficient and should be scaled up.
• Require youth representation in key data policy discussions, ensuring their voices shape regulations related to their digital future. For the first time at a UN Data Forum, the perspectives of children and youth are being heard. Such inclusion should happen more often and become the norm.
• Support youth-led research and advocacy, providing targeted and sustainable funding, mentorship, and platforms to amplify their impact. Policies and interventions sometimes failed to include 
• Foster intergenerational collaboration, taking advantage of both young people’s fresh perspectives and first-hand experiences in digital ecosystems and older generations’ institutional knowledge and policy expertise. 

Authentic engagement goes beyond symbolic inclusion. UNICEF's DG4C Programme exemplifies this, centering its work closely collaborating with global youth networks such as the Generation Unlimited, PSDD’s Data Values Advocates, and local youth groups in countries like Colombia. It has also initiated cross-generational discussions between youth and decision makers. 

DG4C recognizes and emphasizes the need for young people to take an active role in decisions affecting their data rights, while also providing platforms and support for youth-led engagement and initiatives, ensuring that children and young people can meaningfully contribute to shaping digital policies and governance. 

5. Launch public awareness campaigns on responsible data and data rights.

From gaps in data literacy to digital inequality and the exclusion of youth from decision-making, many of the issues raised above by young people have been broadly acknowledged. Yet, they often go unaddressed, frequently due to limited resources, institutional inertia, or a lack of awareness and political will. 

To drive real change, we need widespread public awareness campaigns that: 

• Leverage mass media, academic research, symposiums, and other platforms to make children's digital rights a widely accepted norm and foster a culture where protecting them is a shared societal responsibility. 
• Employ creative approaches, such as visual arts, short films, games and other tools, to make complex data concepts more accessible and engaging.
• Empower children and the public to hold governments and other data governance bodies accountable while ensuring businesses understand the consequences of non-compliance. Governments should initiate public engagement initiatives and encourage scrutiny of data practices related to children. 
• Encourage youth-led awareness campaigns that bring all stakeholders together. This can be done through youth-led workshops, school programs, social media campaigns, and industry events. 

Governments, international organizations, and tech companies should work hand in hand to support these campaigns. Not until awareness is raised at all societal levels will the digital ecosystem truly respect children's rights, foster responsible data behavior across the board, and promote an inclusive digital future. 

Conclusion 

The digital world continues to evolve at an unprecedented speed, yet the need to preserve childrens’ rights remains constant.

To ensure a fair digital future that protects our next generation, it is crucial to strengthen data governance, bridge the digital divide, institutionalize youth participation, invest in AI and other data tech literacy and increase data awareness. These are not just policy choices. They are fundamental commitments to human rights, equity, and long-term sustainability. 

Every policymaker, industry leader, and civil society member was once a child, dreaming of a society that would serve their best interest. We must honour that hope and take decisive action now, as the decisions made today will shape the digital world of tomorrow.  

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