A/HRC/RES/31/7
the enjoyment of the rights of the child, and recalling that it includes target 5.2, on
eliminating all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private
spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation, and target 16.2, on
ending abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of
children,
Recognizing the importance of information and communications technologies in
children’s lives as a new tool for learning, socialization, expression, inclusion and
fulfilment of the rights of the child and fundamental freedoms, such as the right to
education, the right to freedom of expression, the freedom to seek, receive and impart
information, and the right to express his or her views freely,
Reaffirming the responsibilities, rights and duties of parents, legal guardians or other
persons legally responsible for the child to provide, in a manner consistent with the
evolving capacities of the child, appropriate direction and guidance in the exercise by the
child of his or her rights,
Recognizing that children are among the most active participants online, and that
parents, guardians and educators who have responsibility for children’s activities may need
guidance on protecting children online,
Reaffirming that States shall undertake to protect the child from all forms of
exploitation and sexual abuse and, for that purpose, in particular, take all appropriate
national, bilateral and multilateral measures to prevent the inducement or coercion of a
child to engage in any unlawful sexual activity, the exploitative use of children in
prostitution or other unlawful sexual practices and the exploitative use of children in
pornographic performances and materials,
Recognizing that information and communications technologies can facilitate the
commission of criminal activities with impunity regarding the sale, sexual abuse and
exploitation of children, including in pornography, child sexual abuse material and
prostitution; new threats or forms of sexual abuse and exploitation, such as the solicitation
of children for sexual purposes known as “child grooming”, sexual extortion and live
streaming of child abuse; the possession, distribution, access to, exchange, production of or
payment for child sexual abuse material; and the viewing, conducting or facilitation of
children’s participation in live sexual abuses, among others,
Deeply concerned by risks such as sexting and self-generated content, by new and
evolving forms of violence against children, particularly child sexual abuse and
exploitation, and by cyberbullying, which are related to the use of information and
communications technologies,
Acknowledging the role that information and communications technologies play in
reducing the risk of sexual abuse and exploitation, including by empowering children to
report such abuses,
Recognizing that States should promote access to digital media and information and
communications technologies while protecting children from harm,
Emphasizing that States have the primary responsibility to respect, protect and fulfil
the rights of the child, including through the prevention of violations and the protection and
provision of effective remedies to victims, and to address all forms of violence and abuse
against children, including sexual abuse and exploitation, at all times and in all settings,
Underlining that child sexual abuse and exploitation through information and
communications technologies, including online, involving the production, sale,
dissemination or possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material, including child
pornography, constitutes a serious abuse or violation of the child’s physical and
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