Article 16 of the UNCRC makes it clear that children and young people have the right to privacy, just like adults do. This means that: they have the right to a private family life, they have the right to a private space where they can go to be alone, even if they’re in an institution and they have the right to keep their phone calls and emails private. It also means that children have the right to protection from interference with their privacy, family, home and correspondence, and to protection from libel or slander.
It relates to an individual's ability to determine for themselves when, how, and for what purpose their personal information is handled by others. Protecting privacy is key to ensuring human dignity, safety and self-determination. It allows individuals freely develop their own personality.
Today’s children are the first generation to be born into a digital age and studies have been confucted on how this affects their privacy, as well as their development. “Threats to children’s privacy, both in the digital space and out of it, are increasing at alarming rates,” says Joseph Cannataci. The report details that children’s use of social media doubles between the ages of nine and 12, with some 40 percent of them having multiple social media profiles. On average, a teenager’s online contacts double during secondary school.