The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is expected to launch its conference report in Pretoria on Thursday, highlighting the need to safeguard children in an increasingly digital world.
The report is titled 'Children's Rights to Privacy and Safety on Online Platforms' Legislative Gaps and the Case for Reform was compiled by the SAHRC Child Rights Unit (CRU). The report captures the findings of a stakeholders' conference held on March 28, 2026, in Johannesburg to underscore the urgent need to safeguard children in an increasingly digital world.
Wisani Baloyi, spokesperson for SAHRC, said that as South Africa and the African continent continue to expand access to the internet and digital technologies, children are participating in online spaces at unprecedented levels.
“While these platforms provide opportunities for learning, creativity, and empowerment, they also expose children to serious risks including cyberbullying, harmful content, exploitation, data misuse, and violations of their human rights, and in particular the right to privacy,” Baloyi said.
Laws leave children exposed online
The conference brought together government departments, UN agencies, regulators, technology companies, civil society, and children themselves to engage in a coordinated and solutions-driven dialogue.
According to the SAHRC, the report identifies significant gaps in South Africa's legal framework, including the Protection of Personal Information Act, the Films and Publications Amendment Act, the Cybercrimes Act, and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act.
The SAHRC stated that these laws leave children exposed to online harms such as grooming, exploitation, cyberbullying, addictive platform design, and the unconsented collection and posting of their personal data.
“It also includes the Children's Declaration, adopted by child participants at the conference, setting out their own call to action to government, technology companies, schools, parents, and civil society,” Baloyi said.
zainul.dawood@iol.co.za
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