The 2024 annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) provided a platform for diverse stakeholders—including governments, civil society, academia, and technical communities—to engage in over 300 sessions discussing policy solutions for a safer, more inclusive, and equitable digital future. Several presentations included researchers from LSE’s Media and Communication department. Natálie Terčová summarises her key takeaways from discussions on children, youth and vulnerable internet end users.

1. Protecting Vulnerable Groups in the Digital Age

Protecting vulnerable populations, particularly children (up to the age of 18), emerged as a critical focus of IGF 2024. Sessions emphasised the growing threats children face in the digital world, including cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and exploitation through the collection and misuse of their data. The evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies, such as augmented reality or blockchain, has added complexity to these risks. For instance, AI’s role in amplifying cybercrime and creating tools like deepfakes has heightened the urgency for child protection.

Discussions highlighted the need for harmonised global policies to address these issues. Bridging local efforts, such as Safer Internet Centres, with international frameworks like the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) was identified as a crucial step toward ensuring consistent and effective protection forchildren in the digital world. Awareness campaigns and educational initiatives targeting parents, educators, and children were strongly encouraged. Furthermore, research and development into innovative tools, such as child-first aid systems, were promoted to safeguard children from the ever-changing threatlandscape.

My presentation on Child Sexual Abuse in Digital Spaces: Youth and Survivors highlighted my work with child sexual abuse survivors: “The widespread presence of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) is a deeply troubling issue, made even more challenging by the difficulties in identifying and removing harmful content from online platforms. Holding offenders accountable remains a critical and complex task, often complicated by inconsistent and fragmented legislation across regions.”

Explore the DFC report for further insights into technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA).

2. Youth Empowerment and Digital Inclusion

Youth participation in digital governance was a recurring theme, with callsto prioritise young voices in shaping policies and frameworks. Youth (15-25 years old) are often at the forefront of digital innovation, yet financial, structural, and logistical barriers frequently hinder their active engagement.

Participants of the IGF emphasised the importanceof institutionalising youth as a distinct stakeholder group in global governance frameworks like the Global Digital Compact (GDC). Additionally, targeted interventions such as funding and capacity-building initiatives were proposed to overcome obstacles to youth participation.

Ellen Helsper argued that: “underrepresented/vulnerable children need to be considered and consulted in processes of internet governance… and while this might suggest that responsibility falls on those who are underrepresented to make their voices heard, those with more power need to actively seek them out and listen.”

For additional insights, consult the report from the session Youth-Led Digital Futures: Integrating Perspectives and Governance.

3. Harnessing Innovation While Balancing Risks

The rapid advancement of digital technologies, including AI, blockchain,and biotechnology, is reshaping the digital landscape. However, the convergence of these technologies presents unprecedented policy challenges. Discussions at IGF 2024 highlighted the need for adaptive governance frameworks capable of addressing the interconnected risks that the technologies pose. AI in particular has raised concerns about biases in its design, which can perpetuate systemic discrimination and censorship, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.

Various IGF sessions called for the development of transparent governance mechanisms that prioritize human rights. Collaborative efforts between policymakers, businesses, academia and civil society were deemed essential for crafting effective policies. Regulatory sandboxes were proposed as a means to test governance models in controlled environments, enabling policymakers to assess their impact and scalability.

Children’s data privacy was another pressing issue discussed. With digital platforms increasingly collecting sensitive information, there was a strong call for clear and enforceable standards for data collection and usage. Ultimately, the discussions highlighted the need for a balance between harnessing technological innovation and safeguarding vulnerable populations from unintended consequences.

Sonia Livingstone argued that: “It’s vital to think about children’s rights holistically, including and going beyond attention to privacy and safety, so that children’s other rights are not neglected – e.g. inclusion and participation. The responsibilities of businesses are crucial in that regard, to take positive actions and also to be ready to counter the pressure to maximise profit at all costs.”

For further insights, review the report from the session on Multistakeholder cooperation for online child protection and First Aid Online: Making the Difference for Children.

4. Collaborative Solutions for Safer Digital Spaces

A recurring theme throughout IGF 2024 was the importance of multistakeholder cooperation in creating safer digital environments. Protecting children and youth online while ensuring their cybersecurity were emphasized as global priorities. Stakeholders recognized that effective solutions require collaboration across governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society.

The discussions also explored the challenges youth with disabilities face in navigating the online environment, such as social media platforms. While these platforms offer opportunities for learning and connection, significant accessibility gaps persist. Inconsistent design standards and inadequate support for assistive technologies were identified as barriers to inclusion. Participants called for a shift toward user-centric design practices to make digital spaces more accessible. IGF participants stressed that no single stakeholder or country can address these challenges alone. Instead, a global dialogue is essential to ensure that digital technologies are inclusive, safe, and equitable for all.

To explore the topic further, consult the report from the session discussing the Human Rights Impacts of AI on Marginalized Populations and Social media effects on students with disabilities.

From tackling the challenges posed by AI to amplifying the voices of young people, the forum demonstrated that collaboration is essential for meaningful progress. These important discussions will continue at the 20th IGF in Lillestrøm, Norway, from 23–27 June 2025.

This post gives the views of the author and not the position of the Media@LSE blog, nor of the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Featured image: Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash