A key challenge for Iranians in the digital realm is the lack of unrestricted internet access. However, this focus often overshadows other critical aspects of digital rights, such as protecting the online rights of children and teenagers—a growing global concern in recent years.
The issue of children’s rights in the digital space has received limited attention in Iran, largely due to political and cultural factors. Even globally, this remains a relatively new area of discussion, with psychologists and education experts only recently delving into it with greater focus and structure. In Iran, the government’s efforts to restrict public internet access have further complicated the protection of children and teenagers (up to age 16) online. Their rights are often conflated with the broader governmental agenda of internet censorship and control over information flow, obscuring the unique challenges faced by young users.
Episode 5 of Season 2 of the Layer 7 podcast delves into the challenges teenagers face online, the responsibility of platform designers toward this age group, and the role of families and educators in ensuring their right to access the digital world.
The Right of Children and Teenagers to Be Online
Despite opposition to children’s and teenagers’ access to the digital world, this is a fundamental right recognized by countries adhering to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. These nations aim to provide age-appropriate digital content, empowering young users with access to a wide range of information.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child and General Comment No. 25 on Children’s Rights in Relation to the Digital Environment (2021) establish frameworks for this right, recognizing both direct and indirect access to the internet for children and teenagers. They also emphasize special protections for this age group against digital harms.
The minimum age for accessing online platforms is often set at 13, as dictated by data protection laws like the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). However, experts question whether this age threshold adequately addresses the complexities of the issue. Cognitive development varies significantly among children, making a one-size-fits-all age limit insufficient to account for individual differences.
Risks Facing Children and Teenagers on Social Media
The digital world is rife with complexities that go far beyond age restrictions. Targeted advertising, inappropriate content, peer pressure, and cybersecurity threats are just a few of the challenges young users face. In countries like Iran, strict internet censorship forces children and teenagers to seek alternative, often unsafe, methods to access information.
Online bullying is a significant concern for this demographic. Research shows that children and teenagers are particularly vulnerable to cyberbullying, which can have devastating emotional and psychological consequences. Another major risk is exposure to unrealistic beauty standards on social media. These images often become unattainable ideals for adolescents, particularly during puberty, negatively impacting their self-esteem and potentially leading to anxiety or depression.
The Rights in the Digital World report, produced by Western Sydney University and the 5Rights Foundation, highlights the need for greater protection, education, and transparency regarding children’s digital rights. Based on input from 709 teenagers across 27 countries, the report advocates for skill-building initiatives for both teenagers and their parents, rather than solely focusing on age restrictions. Parents should engage in open, honest discussions with their children about the risks and opportunities of the digital world. Schools, too, should incorporate digital safety education into their curricula.
Most importantly, children and teenagers must have a voice in decisions about their digital engagement. Creating a safe environment for dialogue can empower young users to navigate the internet responsibly. However, this participation should be guided by the support and mentorship of parents and educators.
Social media platforms must also take greater responsibility for safeguarding their young users. This includes implementing robust age-verification systems, providing parental controls, using AI and human moderators to remove harmful content, and adhering to stringent data protection laws to minimize data collection from minors. These measures can help create a safer, healthier digital environment for young users.
The Role of Online Platforms in Protecting Children’s Rights
Social media platforms can create a safer and more engaging environment for children and teenagers by adopting specific measures. These include precise age-verification systems, tools for parental oversight, advanced moderation techniques combining AI and human expertise, regular updates to community guidelines, and collaboration with child advocacy organizations to establish best practices. Limiting the collection of children’s personal data and ensuring compliance with data protection laws are also critical steps. By implementing these policies, platforms can enhance the digital experience for children and teenagers, offering a secure and enriching environment.
Iran: Restriction Under the Pretext of Protection
The Iranian government often cites the need to protect children from harmful content as a justification for its sweeping internet restrictions and tiered internet access system. However, evidence suggests this claim is merely a pretext. In practice, these policies fail to protect children and instead severely violate their rights.
Domestic platforms promoted as alternatives to international social media, such as Rubika and Baleh, are not only inferior in quality but also lack adequate safeguards for children. For instance, a 13-year-old user on Baleh was found to be sharing personal photos, attracting the attention of adult users—a clear indication of the platform’s failure to implement appropriate age filters and content oversight.
Furthermore, the government’s focus on content aligned with “Islamic-Iranian culture” restricts children’s access to diverse information and suppresses minority perspectives. This approach not only limits their right to information but also contradicts Article 15 of Iran’s Constitution, which recognizes the use of local and ethnic languages.
Another concern is the potential for discriminatory practices based on gender or physical characteristics. Evidence suggests plans to restrict access to certain content based on these attributes, violating the principles of equality and non-discrimination emphasized in international human rights declarations.
Ultimately, the government’s claim of protecting children and teenagers through restrictive internet policies is a façade. These measures infringe upon their rights and create an unsafe digital environment, further marginalizing this vulnerable group.
