A/69/264 104. Children’s online protection calls for multidimensional and concerted prevention efforts, effective detection, reporting and prosecution of offences, and assistance to victims, including their recovery and reintegration. National authorities, families, schools, civil society and the corporate sector ar e key actors in this process, and children’s empowerment and active contribution to their own protection lies at the heart of these efforts. 105. To consolidate progress in this fast-changing area, it is crucial to pursue a multifaceted agenda with special emphasis on the dimensions described below. Empowering children 106. Any online safety initiatives aimed at children, and adolescents in particular, must recognize their crucial role in this process. Children master ICTs with ease but they need to gain skills and confidence, to feel reassured when they explore the borders of the digital universe and when they encounter issues of concern. 107. As young people stressed during the 2013 Global Youth Summit promoted by the International Telecommunication Union, more than simply trying to avoid online threats, it is important to develop children’s capacities as digital citizens; and promote solid values and life skills, including a strong sense of responsibility, respect and concern for others. Rather than curtailing children’s natural curiosity and sense of innovation for fear of encountering risks online, it is critical to tap into children’s resourcefulness and enhance their resilience while exploring the potential of the Internet. 108. A positive, caring and protective family environment, a supportive community, access to relevant and child-friendly information and services, including to report online abuse, as well as children’s own evolving capacities, are crucial factors to achieve this goal. Supporting parents and caregivers 109. Informed and engaged parents and caregivers who support and advise children in their access to the Internet and the use of ICTs open avenues for a safer online experience. Parents’ effective mediation minimizes risk without limiting children’s skills or opportunities. Taking time to surface the cyberuniverse together, to guide and reassure their children, and to provide age-appropriate rules about online conduct are crucial dimensions of this process. Equally important is to raise children’s awareness of online risks and provide guidance on ways of addressing them when they occur. 110. But for this to happen, parents and caregivers need support and advice to reduce anxiety and to gain understanding of the online world and of how children operate in this environment, the risks they might encounter, the harm that can potentially ensue and, crucially, the most effective ways to cope and develop children’s resilience. Capitalizing on schools’ potential 111. Schools have a unique potential to promote non-violent behaviour and to support change of attitudes condoning violence. Through quality education, children can gain the skills and abilities to surf cyberspace with confidence, to avoid and address risks, and to become well-informed and responsible digital citizens. This 20/23 14-58801