African Union: African Union Executive Council adopted Framework for Child Online Safety

On 21 May 2024, the African Union Executive Council adopted the Child Online Safety and Empowerment Policy. This framework establishes a set of guidelines designed to ensure the protection of children's rights within the digital sphere throughout the African continent. The policy incorporates a 4Cs model to categorise online risks, encompassing content, contact, conduct, and consumer risks. It establishes guiding principles that prioritise child rights, digital safety, and empowerment. The policy's objectives include the implementation of legal and regulatory reforms, the promotion of digital literacy, the development of institutional capacity, and the establishment of cross-border cooperation to address online harms.