African Union
The African Union (AU) addresses digital environments through its Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020-2030) and the recent African Digital Compact (ADC) (2024), which seek to create a secure digital single market, promote digital inclusion and close the digital divide, and foster economic growth through technology.
The same is true for the protection of the rights of children and adolescents in digital environments.
Child Online Safety and Empowerment Policy.
It is an initiative of the African Union, adopted in February 2024, which seeks to create safer and more empowering digital environments for children in Africa, establishing principles, objectives and a framework for the implementation of national policies that ensure children's rights online and provide them with tools to protect themselves and thrive in the digital world.
Adopted by the 44th AU Executive Council (Addis Ababa, February 2024).
Create a common framework of principles, goals, and an implementation plan to maximize digital opportunities and mitigate risks (the 4Cs: content, contact, conduct, consumption/contracts) for children and adolescents, promoting safety by design and by default.
Personal Data, Identity, and Automated Decision-Making
– Recognizes threats to privacy/identity and the use of automated decision-making, requiring specific regulatory responses.
Safety-by-Design
– Proposes an outcomes regime with risk assessments covering the 4Cs, age-appropriate design, possibly age assurance, and transparency.
Oversight/Authority and Enforcement
– Recommends independent oversight authorities with adequate resources to implement and oversee the framework.
Governance and Coordination
– Creates an AU Steering/Oversight Committee to coordinate implementation, indicators/KPIs, and periodic review;
Legal Harmonization
– Develop a harmonized continental legal framework on child privacy and safety-by-design, and strengthen criminal justice (including OCSEA/CSAM); consider common age classification and participation in international instruments.
Regulatory and AI Capabilities
– Training modules for regulators, including “AI Oversight (a four-step model with a child rights approach)”; guidelines for safe educational technology.
Transparency and Integrity Ecosystem
– Access to data for researchers and authorities with safeguards; child-friendly public portals, hotlines, campaigns (e.g., Africa Safer Internet Day).
8) Research and Evidence
– Continental research fund and program; repository of studies and good practices (monitoring and evaluation).
Non-binding framework (continental public policy) that guides Member States and public/private actors in designing legislation, regulations, and programs.
It is aligned with UNCRC and General Comment No. 25 (rights in digital environments) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.