Session
This session will discuss how algorithms in social media and digital participation can affect children and youth and how we can ensure that children are safe online.
The session will have three parts, where each part builds on the other. The session will:
1. Share updated research on trends and risks for children’s well-being online, with emphasis on their use of social media, and how algorithms can affect children's development. While algorithms can have positive effects, they can also have negative consequences, such as promoting harmful content and nudge negative ideas and perspectives.
2. The next part will take a step back and discuss what social media could look like if designed with the needs and interests of children in mind, including how to define relevant norms that should be operationalized in how algorithms could work along with child safety. Youth representatives will take part in this discussion, alongside relevant tech-experts.
3. The last part of the session will follow up the second part and discuss the role and responsibilities of social media companies and governments when it comes to ensuring social media are built to serve the public interest, with a particular emphasis on the needs and vulnerabilities of children. We will discuss how governments and social media companies should work to protect children’s rights and well-being online, including responsibility of companies to ensure their algorithms are ethical and child-friendly.
Panellists
- Ms. Karianne Tung, Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance of Norway
- Ms. Leanda Barrington-Leach, Executive Director, 5Rights Foundation
- Ms. Emily Yu, Senior Director, Policy Development, Roblox
- Ms. Christine Grahn, Head of Government & Public Relations, Tik Tok
- Ms. Salima Bah, Minister of STI, Sierra Leone
- Ms. Thomas Davin, Director of Innovation, UNICEF
Moderator
- Ms. Shivanee Thapa, Senior News Editor, Nepal Television