10. New technologies

 

 

 

 

60  The development of new information technologies has coincided with the development of the rights of the child. Internet access has quickly appeared as an advantage for disseminating these rights, sharing information and allowing young people to learn them. Internet also facilitates networking with other organizations and advocacy; but we have gradually realized its risks as well (cf. 35).

 

The use of new technologies opens up an incredible potential of knowledge for children. They can satisfy their curiosity, their creativity, an original self-affirmation as well as the need of minor infringements to grow up. The same is true of chats, Internet forums, and multiplayer video games that can bring certain forms of comradeship, and even friendship [68].

 

All these positive possibilities can of course turn into their opposite, from the most innocent to the most serious situation. Children can waste a lot of time in activities without any interest; knowledge is not necessarily organized in a hierarchic way, and contents can be collected without a critical mind. There is the risk of dangerous encounters and of isolation in a virtual world. Young people can also acquire or amplify perverse or antisocial habits... Real cyber addiction is rare before adulthood, but it can affect frail and lonely personalities.

 

61  The appropriate use of new technologies thus implies parents and educators' responsibility [69]:

 

- Wider information and awareness-raising about potentials and risks.

 

- A dialogue with children to accompany them, put limits to the using time, respect the sleeping time, refuse degrading or antisocial activities as well as to give them the opportunity to acquire a critical mind.

 

It is also necessary to carry on initiatives to protect children in accordance with the norms elaborated by the Human Rights Specialized Group of the Council of Europe [70].

 

 

[68] This analysis and the following ideas are largely inspired by a report presented on 2 May 2005 by professor Jean Yves Hayez, pedo-psychiatrist on "Youth, Internet and Videogames and Civil Society" for the Family Interministerial Delegation of the French government. Available on the net to the following address: http://www.jeanyveshayez.net/j-i-sc2a.htm

[69] See the Recommendation of the Council of Europe (Rec 2006) 12 on empowering children in the new information and communications environment as well as the Council of Europe International Convention on Cybercrime.

[70] Council of Europe Declaration on the Protection of the Dignity, Security, and Privacy of Children on Internet adopted on 20 February 2008; see Recommendation CM/Rec (2008) 6 on measures to promote the respect for freedom of expression and information with regard to Internet filters.