The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) plans to present its conference report in Pretoria on Thursday. The report emphasizes the need to ensure children's safety amid the growing digitalization of the world.
The document, titled 'Children's Rights to Privacy and Safety on Online Platforms: Legislative Gaps and the Need for Reforms,' was prepared by the SAHRC's Child Rights Unit (CRU). It reflects the outcomes of a stakeholder conference held on March 28, 2026, in Johannesburg, and highlights the urgent need to protect children in an ever-digital space.
Visani Baloyi, SAHRC spokesperson, noted that as access to the internet and digital technologies expands in both South Africa and across the African continent, children are participating more actively in the online space.
Baloyi stated that while these platforms offer opportunities for creativity, learning, and empowerment, they also expose children to serious risks, including cyberbullying, harmful content, exploitation, misuse of data, and violations of their human rights, particularly the right to privacy.
Legislation leaves children vulnerable online
The conference brought together representatives from government departments, UN agencies, regulators, technology companies, civil society, and children themselves for a coordinated dialogue aimed at finding solutions.
According to SAHRC data, the report identifies significant shortcomings in South Africa's legal framework. These deficiencies include the Protection of Personal Information Act, the Amendment of Films and Publications Act, the Cybercrimes Act, and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act.
SAHRC stressed that current legislation leaves children exposed to various online threats such as grooming, exploitation, cyberbullying, addiction-inducing platform design, and unauthorized collection and publication of their personal data.
Furthermore, Baloyi reported that the report contains a 'Declaration of Children,' adopted by the child participants at the conference, which outlines their own call to action for the government, technology companies, schools, parents, and civil society.