Charo Sádaba: "There is a growing social concern about the role of technology in children and its negative impact on them development"
The University professor has been part of the committee of 50 experts that has elaborated a report to develop a safe digital environment for youth and children.
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10 | 12 | 2024
The report of the committee of Experts for the development of a Safe Digital Environment for Youth and Children addresses the challenges and solutions to ensure the digital safety of children and young people. Charo Sádaba, professor and dean of the School of Communication at the University of Navarra, and expert in youth and technology, was one of the 50 people who prepared this document, which proposes 107 measures to be studied by the Spanish Government.
Promoted by the Ministry of Youth and Children, report stresses the importance of creating an environment that protects their rights, promotes digital literacy and reduces the risks associated with the use of technology.
Charo Sádaba emphasizes that "the committee responds to a growing social concern about the role of technology in children and possible negative impacts on their development and learning processes".
No screens until 6 years of age and from 6 to 12 years of age, limited access.
The report addresses the challenges and proposes solutions to ensure the digital safety of children and young people. Among others, as Sádaba points out, "the committee suggests the absence of screens until the age of 6 and limited access from 6 to 12. Likewise, it also urges limiting access in schools and a battery of recommendations for healthcare, families, government and technology companies". The document stresses the importance of creating an environment that protects the rights of minors, promotes digital literacy and reduces the risks associated with the use of technology.
He highlights proposals such as the default configuration of digital safe spaces (parental control) or the obligation to warn of the health risks associated with the use of devices on their labeling, and to prepare reports on the impact of these products. It also adds the importance of strengthening complaint and blocking mechanisms, which are the responsibility of the industry.
The study concludes by highlighting the shared responsibility of building a safe digital environment based on the partnership of all the actors involved. It also commits to continue working on innovative solutions to ensure a digital space that respects the rights and well-being of children and youth.
Six groups of work
The committee of experts, consisting of 50 independent persons from reference letter in various fields, is structured in six groups of work (Health, Education, Privacy, Industry and Consumption, Rights, Participation and Pornography/Sexual Violence).
The group was attended by representatives of different organizations working in the field of children's rights, confederations of parents' associations, entities and organizations of the third sector at state level, as well as specialists in the fields of pediatrics, Education, psychology, gender equality and mental health protection, and jurists specialized in guaranteeing the rights of children and young people.
