The National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) held a discussion session entitled “Children’s Rights in the Digital Environment: Regulating Social Media and Video Games,” with the participation of representatives from relevant ministries, national institutions, and civil society organizations. The session aimed to explore ways to strengthen the protection of children and safeguard their rights amid the rapid expansion of the digital environment.
The session was opened by the Commissioner General for Human Rights, Mr. Jamal Al-Shamayleh, who emphasized the importance of keeping pace with digital developments from a human rights perspective and strengthening measures to protect children from the risks and violations they may encounter online, in line with the principle of the best interests of the child.
The session, moderated by Dr. Lina Shbeeb, Member of the Board of Trustees of the National Centre for Human Rights, featured a presentation entitled “NCHR’s Monitoring of Children’s Rights in the Digital Environment,” delivered by Dr. Nahla Al-Momani, Commissioner for Protection. The presentation highlighted the Centre’s monitoring of the key issues and challenges affecting children’s rights in the digital environment. Dr. Al-Momani also referred to the Centre’s national conference on the digital space and the protection and promotion of human rights, followed by a series of specialized dialogue sessions on digital violence affecting groups most in need of protection. She emphasized that this issue remains a strategic priority within the Centre’s Strategic Plan.
The session also included a discussion on regulating children’s use of social media platforms and video games. Participants examined the principal challenges associated with children’s use of social media and online gaming, including digital violence, cyberbullying, online exploitation, and exposure to harmful content, as well as issues related to parental supervision, digital literacy, and the responsibility of public institutions and technology companies to provide a safe, inclusive, and child-friendly digital environment.
In addition, the discussion addressed the international human rights framework relating to children’s rights in the digital environment, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, General Comment No. 25 (2021) on Children’s Rights in Relation to the Digital Environment, as well as the relevant national legislation and regulatory frameworks.
Participants emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts among families, educational institutions, government agencies, civil society organizations, and the technology sector to enable children to benefit from the opportunities offered by the digital environment while ensuring their protection from digital risks.
The session concluded by underscoring the importance of continuing joint efforts to strengthen digital awareness among children and their families and to examine appropriate policies and regulatory measures governing children’s use of social media platforms and video games, while striking a balance between children’s right to access digital technologies and their right to protection and safety.
The Centre noted that the session was organized in response to recommendations issued during a series of dialogue sessions on digital violence and its impact on groups most in need of protection, held during June and July 2026. One of the key recommendations was the convening of a dedicated discussion session with relevant stakeholders to consider appropriate safeguards and regulatory measures governing children’s use of social media platforms and video games.
The session also forms part of the Centre’s ongoing efforts to address issues related to digital violence and its impact on vulnerable groups, foster dialogue among relevant stakeholders, and develop practical recommendations to support the advancement of national policies, legislation, and practices in this field.
