Data Governance Fit for Children

June 20, 2022

UNICEF’s Data Governance Fit for Children (DG4C) Programme aims to foster a culture of responsible data practices across industries, sectors, contexts and generations. By taking a principles-driven approach, DG4C translates the needs and interests of children and youth into actionable, child rights-centred outcomes. The DG4C framework is designed to support governments, tech companies, civil society organizations and others in placing young people’s best interests at the heart of their data and technology initiatives.

Why do we need the Data Governance Fit for Children (DG4C) Programme?

UNICEF, along with other global agencies, have been gathering data for and about children for more than 70 years. In an age of increasingly ubiquitous technology, this has been accelerated by the popularised use of AI-powered technologies, biometric systems, mobile messaging apps and more.

While all these data can offer great insights to better serve children, they can also be harmful. Children differ from other population groups, and handling their data involves unique risks and opportunities.

The importance of DG4C becomes clear when we consider the challenges faced by children in today’s constantly changing digital environment. Alarmingly, children are at the forefront of datafication, yet they are typically not involved in data-related decision-making processes that impact their lives.

Against such backdrop, UNICEF developed the Data Governance Fit for Children programme. This programme aims to protect every child globally from the risks of a rapidly evolving digital world while empowering them through data and technology that respect their rights, align with their preferences and expand their opportunities in life.

What does DG4C provide?

DG4C offers a unique, principles-led data governance framework rooted in child rights and adaptive to the diverse environments in which children and youth live. By addressing the specific risks and opportunities inherent in each context, DG4C ensures that young people can thrive regardless of their circumstances. This approach carefully balances the necessary trade-offs, safeguarding children’s data while promoting their responsible use to advance children’s well-being and support their development.

DG4C covers three main areas, encompassing country data system strengthening, fragile contexts and Artificial Intelligence (AI). By engaging with children and youth as agents of change, DG4C ensures that data programmes, systems and technologies, such as AI, are grounded in the rights and preferences of children. Embedding DG4C in all deployed data-related work will also create resilient structures for fragile contexts ‒ as the responsible systems previously introduced can be maintained during emergencies and integrated by governments whose national systems were disrupted.

Another key component of the DG4C programme is the Responsible Data for Children (RD4C) initiative, a joint endeavor between UNICEF’s DG4C Programme and The GovLab at New York University. The RD4C initiative, born from this partnership, is enriched by the respective expertise of UNICEF and The GovLab. UNICEF brings its extensive presence across 190 countries and its leadership in data for children, while The GovLab contributes its deep knowledge in data governance to enable more open, collaborative, effective and legitimate decision-making and problem-solving. Open to new thought partners, the RD4C initiative fosters enhanced leadership, advocacy and implementation of responsible data practices for and about children, spanning diverse contexts, sectors and regions.

Through the initiative, we provide seven actionable, child-centric principles covering every stage of the data life cycle, paired with practical, user-friendly tools to support implementation on the ground. These resources are complemented by real-world case studies featuring best practices and the initiative’s impact on responsible data for children globally. Additionally, the blog series includes posts from academic experts, field practitioners and young people – creating a dynamic space to share insights, challenges and perspectives on the topic.

As the custodian of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF is uniquely positioned to lead systemic change in developing data governance strategies that evolve with the digital world and address children’s specific needs. As a trailblazer in child-centred data governance, DG4C supports UNICEF’s mandate and spearheads crucial efforts worldwide. From local initiatives in Guatemala, Uganda, Albania, China and Abu Dhabi, to global advocacy through publications, high level UN reports or international commitment, DG4C connects ground insights with universal frameworks to ensure children’s (data) rights are prioritised.

Who can benefit from this work?

The DG4C framework provides essential benefits for both children and youth, who are most impacted by the growing digital world, and for decision-makers and practitioners ‒from government officials to tech developers ‒who handle data for and about young people. It creates a space for cross-generational exchange, translating children’s and youths’ self-expressed needs and interests into tangible outputs at policy, programme, service and system levels. This framework equips all stakeholders with the principles and resources needed to embed child rights in data practices, ensuring that decisions around data and technology prioritise children’s needs across industries, sectors and contexts.