Frontiers in Digital Child Safety Working Meeting : October 24 & 25, 2024

On October 24th & 25th, 2024, The Certa Foundation had the privilege of participating in the "Frontiers in Digital Child Safety" meeting, a hybrid event organized by the Technical University of Munich (TUM), in collaboration with scholars from the University of Zurich and the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. This event convened leaders and practitioners in digital safety for a two-day discussion on "On-Device Approaches to Intervene When Conduct and Contact Risks Occur" and "Design Approaches that Foster Trust" for safer digital experiences for children.

During the session on October 25th, Certa Foundation’s own Latifah Mariza and Laura Jeanne D'arc Kagina shared critical insights from Rwanda on trust, agency, and power dynamics in child safety within digital environments. Emphasizing the unique context of digital engagement for Rwandan youth, they highlighted challenges surrounding privacy, digital literacy, and protective digital design for children and parents alike. They were able to underscore that digital safety is closely tied to cultural and societal values. Their presentation illustrated how Rwanda’s approach to child safety balances traditional familial trust with the increasingly complex digital landscape. They advocated for empowering both children and parents through localized, contextually relevant educational resources, ensuring that digital tools align with societal norms while promoting safe, independent exploration for children online.