Spain proposes the creation of a multilateral working group, within the framework of the United Nations, to regulate digital environments

In Turin, Minister Sira Rego proposed the creation of a permanent, multilateral working group, within the framework of the United Nations, to regulate digital environments. According to Rego, this initiative aims to respond to the "need to promote strong regulation of digital environments to protect children's rights from abuses by large technology platforms".

Rego recalled that during the Ibero-American ministerial meetings on Youth and Children, it was agreed to create an Ibero-American Observatory for the well-being of children, with the primary focus on the protection of minors in digital environments. In this vein, the Minister for Youth and Children proposed, during the ministerial roundtable at the meeting of the Pathfinding Global Alliance on Ending Violence Against Children, that this initiative be replicated within the framework of the United Nations.

Rego stressed the need to move forward with regulations that allow for the oversight of the activities of large technology platforms and the regulation of the digital space. "Child protection in the digital environment requires regulation, standards and control mechanisms to guarantee children's rights and freedoms," Rego stressed.

In this regard, she defended algorithmic transparency as a fundamental tool for child protection. "Algorithms are not neutral. They are designed with specific objectives and can affect the effective exercise of children's rights", she stated, underscoring the need for these systems to be auditable and subject to democratic control by public authorities.

In addition to regulation, Rego defended the implementation of digital literacy policies aimed at children, adolescents and families. In this context, she highlighted the progress of the National Digital Environments Strategy, on which her department is working. As she announced, this strategy will combine education, pedagogical tools and content creation to protect the rights of children and adolescents in digital environments.

During the meeting of the Pathfinding Global Alliance on Ending Violence Against Children, Rego also held several bilateral meetings. These included meetings with the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative on Ending Violence against Children, Najat Maalla M'jid, the French High Commissioner for Children, Sarah El Haïry, and the Executive Secretary of Mexico's National System for the Comprehensive Protection of Children and Adolescents, Lorena Villavicencio.

Non official translation