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7amleh's New Report Highlights the Challenges of Digital Safety for Palestinian Children in East Jerusalem

2025-01-22

7amleh's New Report Highlights the Challenges of Digital Safety for Palestinian Children in East Jerusalem

23 January 2025, A new report issued by 7amleh - The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media, titled "Digital Safety of Palestinian Children in East Jerusalem: Between Violations and Digital Agency," reveals the pressing challenges and digital violations faced by Palestinian children in East Jerusalem in the digital space.

The report highlights the broad risks children face in the digital space and examines their level of awareness of these risks and their knowledge of digital protection tools. Additionally, the report studies the role of Israeli authorities, peers, families, schools, and civil society organizations in undermining or promoting children's digital rights.

The first section of the report addresses the impact of children's social environment on the digital violations and abuses they face, while the second section discusses the politically motivated digital violations children experienced in the aftermath of 7 October, distinguishing between the role played by Israeli authorities and that played by technology companies. The third section explores the role of caregivers in children’s experiences and digital safety, including the role of parents and families, schools, and civil society organizations. The fourth and final section reviews the mechanisms and tools commonly used by children for protection and the social networks they turn to for support when facing digital violations.

The report concluded with several important findings. The study showed that levels of digital surveillance are extremely high, with many Palestinian children and their families in East Jerusalem believing they are under intense digital monitoring, often leading to self-censorship and reduced freedom of expression. The study also revealed the widespread presence of digital risks, including cyberbullying, identity theft, and exposure to harmful content, amid the lack of tools and knowledge necessary for protection.

Additionally, the findings pointed to the lack of available support, as the study shows that families and schools lack sufficient resources and awareness to address digital threats, increasing children’s exposure to harm. The report further highlighted that digital safety issues are influenced by intersecting factors, such as gender and economic status, putting the most marginalized groups at greater risk.

The report calls for practical and comprehensive steps to confront the digital challenges faced by Palestinian children in East Jerusalem. It emphasizes the importance of ending the occupation, removing military barriers, and holding those involved in violations accountable. It also stresses the need to update the list of child rights to include children in conflict zones and ensure accountability for governments involved in violations.

The report urges technology companies to adopt algorithms that protect children from inappropriate content, stop blocking Palestinian content, and involve children in updating digital platforms. It calls on donors to support the sustainability of digital projects and integrate digital safety into their plans, while promoting dialogue between children and caregivers to guide the positive use of technology. It also calls on educational institutions to develop comprehensive digital policies and train teachers and children on digital safety to ensure a safe and sustainable educational environment.

To access the full report, please visit the link here.

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