Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are developing ever more rapidly, with profound effects upon societies around the world. They bring with them enormous benefits and opportunities, most especially by facilitating access to the Internet. ICTs are creating new ways of communicating, learning, delivering services and doing business. For children and youth, who are often particularly adept at harnessing the potential of these technologies, ICTs and the Internet represent an important opportunity for empowerment and engagement, offering new means of experiencing creative processes, communication, social interaction, entertainment and learning. Children are not simply passive recipients of information; they are also engaged participants and actors in the online world.
1. Introduction -- 2. The global reach of ICTs and the Internet -- 3. International standards -- 4. Understanding online risks and harm -- 5. Demographic, social and economic dimensions of violence against children -- 6. A multifaceted agenda for releasing children’s potential and minimizing online risks -- 7. Conclusions.

viii, p. : ill., graphs, tables

Includes bibliographical references.

9789210582841