The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has launched its Conference Report on Children’s Rights to Privacy and Safety on Online Platforms, highlighting key measures needed to protect children’s human rights in the digital environment.
The report follows a conference held in Johannesburg on 28 March 2026, led by Commissioner Nomahlubi Khwinana.
The conference was convened in response to the growing human rights challenges children face online, including cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, exploitation, misuse of personal data and violations of their right to privacy.
The report captures contributions from a range of stakeholders, including government representatives, United Nations agencies, industry regulators, technology companies, civil society organisations and children.
Among its key findings, the Commission noted that children are increasingly participating in a digital environment that was not designed with their best interests in mind.
This raises concerns about whether existing safeguards are adequate to protect children from online harm and ensure that their rights are respected.
The Commission has called for amendments to several South African laws governing data protection, films and publications, cybercrime and telecommunications.
The proposed reforms aim to address gaps in legislation that may leave children vulnerable to harm in digital spaces.
In particular, the SAHRC has urged Parliament and relevant government departments to amend sections 34 and 35 of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). The proposed amendments aim to ensure that children’s personal information is processed only with meaningful and informed consent, communicated in plain language.
The Commission has indicated that it will continue engaging with relevant parliamentary portfolio committees and government departments to advance the report’s recommendations and strengthen the protection of children’s rights online.
