Designing & Defining a Digital World in Children’s Best Interests, Phase 2

Research Question

1. What are young people’s expectations of privacy when it comes to the use of EdTech products in schools? What would they like to see happen in their schools to improve privacy? How can their expectations be reinforced by policy-makers and regulators?
2. What are young people’s expectations of privacy when it comes to targeting? What would they like to see happen when it comes to targeting to improve their privacy? How can their expectations be reinforced by policy-makers and regulators
3. Do their expectations across these two different case studies—EdTech & targeting—provide greater insight about how young people’s expectations might be met when it comes to privacy overall?
4. What is the appetite from policy makers, regulators and technologists to embrace young people’s perspectives? What and where are the barriers for youth engagement?

Why Is This Research Important?

The initial phase of the research revealed a strong interest from regulators and policy-makers in incorporating young people’s perspectives into privacy policies. The phase 2 of the research aims to create more effective and youth-centered privacy policies, by connecting young people with decision-makers and ensuring their voices are heard. 

Methodology

The research will adopt a design-based methodology, facilitating iterative development and improvements across the four sites. The core of this methodology involves participatory research projects with young people aged 11-18. These projects will include focus groups, supplemented by 1:1 interviews where necessary, and qualitative surveys. The aim is to develop research artifacts and thematically coded transcripts to capture young people’s perspectives. Additionally, the research will involve desk-based analysis of existing policies and practices related to EdTech and targeting in each site, to inform and shape the youth-centric discussions. Broader focus groups or workshops will be conducted to explore privacy and young people’s best interests, bringing together young people, decision-makers, and civil society. These sessions aim to amplify young people’s perspectives and uncover potential barriers or opportunities for advancing their privacy expectations. The flexible, child-centric approach ensures that young participants can shape the research methods and outputs according to their interests and capabilities. 

Media and Publications

• Child-led Technical Research Study: Outline & Findings Research conducted by young people who are part of the Article 12 working group, who act as child online safety ambassadors for Media Monitoring Africa.
• Children’s data privacy rights in the digital world: Rights, realities and the need for reform in South Africa The report examines the ambit of the privacy rights of children in the digital environment, the protections afforded and the interplay with other competing rights and interests in line with the demand that the best interests of the child is of paramount importance in all matters concerning the child
• South African people’s erspectives on digital privacy This research set out with a simple aim: to explore what children and young people think about their online privacy, whether they trust the technology that
• From the mouths of young people into policy; how can we implement qualitative research in policy? Reset Tech Australia presented their plans for ongoing research in collaboration with the Ministry for Education, at the Antigua & Barbuda 4th Annual Research Symposium. This paper summarises the presentation and feedback.
• Results from a survey with young people about the Children’s Online Privacy Code This paper documents the findings from a survey of 1,624 Australian young people aged 13-17 undertaken in March 2025. 
• Consultation with academics and civil society about the Children’s Online Privacy Code; How do children’s rights and the APPs intersect? This paper documents notes taken from a workshop with 70 academics and civil society experts held on April 7th 2025 in Sydney.
• The Australian Privacy Principles & the Rights of Children and Young People: A briefing note This briefing paper documents some connections between the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), children’s rights and young people’s perspectives, with a view to enriching a conversation about what the Code could and should address to improve children’s privacy
• Consultation with young people about the Children’s Online Privacy Code: especially Transparency, Geolocation, Advertising & EdTech This paper documents notes taken from a workshop with 37 young people aged 13-17 on March 29th, 2025.
• Consultation with young people from migrant and diaspora background about the Children’s Online Privacy Code This paper documents notes taken from interviews with seven young people aged 13-17 from migrant and diaspora backgrounds.
• Consultation with young people about the Children’s Online Privacy Code and consent and agency This paper documents notes taken from a workshop with four young people aged 13-18 in April 2025 around the young people’s perspectives of online privacy and agency and consent.