IGF 2024 Open Forum #72 European Parliament Delegation to the IGF & the Youth IGF

Youth IGF and EU Leaders in Dialogue: Regulating the Internet for the Next Generation

Discussion Description

This session will explore one of the most pressing challenges of our time: protecting young people online while safeguarding their rights and freedoms. With the European Union’s Digital Services Act and the priorities outlined in EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT Henna Virkkunen’s mission letter, dedicated to advancing digital and governance policies, this discussion takes on critical importance. Drawing on insights from recent legislative developments in Australia and ongoing discussions in Canada, we will examine how regulation can address issues like cyberbullying, mental health impacts, and platform accountability.

What sets this discussion apart is the unique opportunity for young leaders to engage directly with members of the European Parliament and EU decision-makers. Together, we will explore actionable solutions to create a safer, healthier, and more equitable digital environment for future generations.

During the Open Forum we would like to debate with decision-makers the youth vision and youth inputs to the three main topics

1. Balancing Regulation with Digital Rights

• Key Focus: How can we protect young users online while safeguarding their rights to privacy, freedom of expression, and equitable access to the digital world?
• Discussion Points:
  
  • Lessons from legislation, such as Australia’s age-verification laws and Canada’s Online Harms Act.
  • Balancing effective regulation with ethical concerns around data privacy and surveillance.

2. Addressing Online Harms to Youth Well-being

• Key Focus: What regulatory approaches are most effective in reducing cyberbullying, protecting mental health, and promoting safer online interactions for young users?
• Discussion Points:
  
  • Policies to mitigate harmful content, including the role of platform accountability and moderation.
  • Addressing issues like addiction, body image concerns, and exposure to harmful advertising.

3. Promoting Ethical and Safe Digital Platform Design

• Key Focus: How can platforms design systems that prioritize safety, reduce addictive tendencies, and combat misinformation without infringing on user freedoms?
• Discussion Points:
  
  • Encouraging transparency and ethical AI in platform algorithms.
  • Addressing the challenges of platform accountability and compliance with new regulations.

The format of the Open Forum is intended to be a debate between the Youth IGF change-makers and the members of the European Parliament delegation to the IGF. We would like also to invite the leaders of other stakeholder groups to join this discussion. The Open Forum intends to bring together youth representatives from different initiatives to engage in an inclusive dialogue.

The session is foreseen as an open dialogue with equal participation onsite and online. The organiser and the co-organiser will give a few introductory tips.