Urgent action is needed to improve protections for children in Britain, according to a report to the United Nations from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
The report outlines the state of children’s rights in Britain and forms part of the UN’s system for monitoring the Convention on the Rights of the Child, a treaty that the UK signed in 1991.
The report also highlights the importance of tackling online abuse of children, which an estimated four in ten children are exposed to, with children spending even more time online during the pandemic.
The EHRC calls on the UK government to ensure that children are protected from harassment and abuse online through the Online Safety Bill currently in Parliament, while preserving their rights to accessible information and digital connectivity.
Baroness Kishwer Falkner, chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission said: “Children deserve to flourish and live their lives to the full. The International Day of Education is a time to celebrate their potential.
“Unfortunately, our report to the UN shows that too many children in Britain are still suffering the impact of the pandemic, including through lost learning opportunities, and that existing inequalities have been made worse. They are also increasingly at risk of abuse or harassment online.
“Poor mental health, disrupted education and online abuse are all issues the UK and Welsh governments must address to ensure our children’s rights remain protected. Upholding the UK’s treaty commitments to the rights of the child will empower the next generation to build the better future for Britain that we all want to see.”
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