{"id":26764,"date":"2025-07-14T12:00:59","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T04:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.crcasia.org\/?p=26764"},"modified":"2025-07-14T12:05:19","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T04:05:19","slug":"gen-z-feels-for-reels-listening-to-children-on-digital-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crcasia.org\/gen-z-feels-for-reels-listening-to-children-on-digital-rights\/","title":{"rendered":"Gen Z Feels for Reels: Listening to Children on Digital Rights"},"content":{"rendered":"

Child Rights Coalition Asia (CRC Asia), ChildFund Philippines, ChildFund Korea, and Meta, in partnership with the Down to Zero Alliance in the Philippines, held a three-day children\u2019s consultation on children\u2019s digital rights last May 27-May 29, 2025.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It aimed to empower children in co-creating a digital world where children are not only safe, but also empowered to participate, express themselves, and access accurate information. Through interactive workshops, children shared their lived experiences on privacy, misinformation, freedom of expression, and emerging online risks — proving that young voices must be central in shaping digital spaces that impact their lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gen Z\u2019s App-etite: Download or Delete?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Children download apps mostly based on trends, curiosity, and peer influence but they also weigh risks like privacy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe consider the popularity of the app, particularly online games, before deciding to download it,\u201d<\/span><\/i> said one child participant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Others mentioned how personal interests and needs also shape their decision. Sometimes children look for platforms to explore or \u201chang out\u201d in, making these platforms an important space for play and socialization.<\/span><\/p>\n

But they\u2019re quick to delete apps that feel unsafe or no longer serve their needs. It is not just tech-savviness \u2013 children are aware about the spaces that make them safe and empowered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Parental Control: A Double-Edged Sword<\/b><\/p>\n

Children expressed mixed feelings about parental controls. While they appreciate the guidance, others feel stifled. As with anything, moderation and context is important.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cParental control can be acceptable depending on how it’s implemented and the specific context, moderation and adaptability to each individual’s situation are key,\u201d<\/span><\/i> said one group of participants.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Red Flags on the Feed: Gen Z\u2019s Call for Better and Verified Information<\/b><\/p>\n

Fake news<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Children have the right to access information and adults have a duty to ensure that this information is safe and understandable. To further probe their experiences, the children were asked to list down red flags they see on social media and what should be done about them.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The children talked about the widespread issue of misinformation, especially about education, health, and disasters. One participant shared, <\/span>\u201cThere\u2019s fake news on the introduction of \u201cGrade 13\u201d in the Philippines with misleading links,<\/span><\/i>\u201d said one of the participants. These news usually use sensational headlines that grab attention but contain misinformation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The children note that these fake news are even more prominent during disasters and elections, causing confusion and harm. Health information was flagged as well because it can lead to self diagnosis instead of getting professional help.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Children also flagged other types of fake news, such as fabricated showbiz issues. This includes false celebrity illnesses and deaths that cause distress to children, especially when they later discover that the information is fake. Children flagged this because of their empathy, noting that these can have a negative emotional impact on people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other red flags they noted are related to OSAEC (Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children) such as the normalization of sexual content and sharing of sensitive materials on social media. <\/span>\u201cIt\u2019s alarming that these issues are often ignored, silencing the affected children and robbing them of their rights.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Proliferation of Scams\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Aside from misinformation, children also identified scams as red flags online. Recently, AI-generated posts that offer fake giveaways, job opportunities, and investment schemes with exaggerated returns are proliferating online.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are also a lot of clickbait posts with malicious links that redirect users to suspicious websites or unrelated apps such as e-commerce sites. This can potentially have hidden charges or drain e-wallet accounts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Who\u2019s Accountable?<\/b><\/p>\n

Children called on agencies like the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), NBI, PNP, and even NGOs, to act swiftly against misinformation and scams.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They also challenged influencers to use their platforms responsibly because their content can sway children. For example, there are increasing gambling promotions in influencer\u2019s content, sneakily sandwiched in their videos. They said that these influencers should take into account the vulnerability of their audience, especially the children and youth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One participant raised that checking for the blue checkmark indicating that an account is verified isn\u2019t enough anymore.<\/span> \u201cIt\u2019s easy to get a verified blue checkmark on Facebook through payment. So this does not always guarantee credibility. We should think before we click.<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Are Children Truly Free to Express Themselves Online?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Article 13 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child affirms children\u2019s right to express themselves in different ways, whether verbal, written, or creative, as long as their expression does not hurt others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the past years, children and young people continue to express themselves online as content creators, commenters, and sharers on various topics like culture, hobbies, art, gender, politics, and advocacy. For some, the online space is a safer place to express their authentic selves, free from societal judgement. But for others, this freedom remains out of reach.<\/span><\/p>\n

When asked about how safe they are in expressing gender, culture, advocacies, and political opinions online, children have varied insights.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n