Young Scots reveal challenges to their rights online
A new report presented to the Scottish Government finds that more than half (59%) of young people have experienced or know someone who has been effected by bullying online. Two in five (41%) young people have admitted they don’t know if their rights are being observed in the digital world.
The report was developed and delivered by a group of young people called the Young Scot 5Rights Youth Commission. The commission gave first-hand insight on how young people’s rights can be realised in an increasingly digital society to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop and Minister for Childcare and Early Years, Mark McDonald.
The commissioners made several recommendations to the Scottish Government on behalf of all young people. They include:
- Greater internet access in rural areas and more Wi-Fi in public areas;
- Limitations to the unnecessary collection of young people’s data online;
- Integration of digital literacy into all areas of education;
- Encourage girls into technical professions;
- Creation of a centralised point for young people to review and manage their digital footprints.
5Rights is an UK initiative aimed at enabling children and young people to access the digital world creatively, knowledgably and fearlessly. It aims to promote the five fundamental digital rights of children and young people – the right to remove, the right to know, the right to safety and support, right to informed and conscious use and the right to digital literacy.
Find out more about 5rights here: http://5rightsframework.com/
Image credit: Stinging Eyes, Flickr