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The age of technology and the Internet have brought tremendous benefits, including for children. However, the spread of digital technologies also comes with a broad spectrum of risks and harms to which children can be particularly vulnerable.

Under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the Children’s Rights and Business Principles, businesses have a responsibility to identify, assess, and address relevant human rights risks, including risks to children’s rights. With respect to the digital environment, a rapidly evolving landscape and the emergence of new technologies has changed the nature and severity of actual and potential child rights risks relating to business activities.

In response, UNICEF has initiated a project to assess the current child rights impact assessment (CRIA) landscape in relation to digital business activities and develop new guidance to support robust implementation going forward.

A summary of initial project findings is now available here. Further project outputs including the updated guidance (currently under development) are anticipated in late 2024.