Bangkok, Thailand – “Varawut” Minister of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), expressed concerns about child rights violations on social media. He urged media outlets and content creators to present news with consideration for child rights and raise social awareness, emphasizing media’s influence on children’s attitudes and behaviors.
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Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, addressed the issue of child rights violations on social media, particularly the presentation of information that negatively impacts children. He noted that Thailand is rapidly becoming an aging society, a transition that has taken just six decades. With digital technology playing a significant role in daily life, children and youth face numerous challenges, especially online dangers such as cyberbullying, pornography, and online gambling.
While the number of newborns is declining. In 2022 – 2024, as of October 2024, there were 386,567 births nationwide, a decrease of more than 100,000 from 2023. In contrast, in 2023, the number of elderly people increased to approximately 13 million.
“Being a child in today’s society is not easy. Children face multiple challenges from changing social circumstances, including advancements in technology and communication. The media, in particular, has a strong influence on the opinions, beliefs, and behaviors of people at all levels,” said Mr. Varawut.
Mr. Varawut stressed the vital role of the media and content creators in shaping society and influencing the mindset of children and youth. He emphasized that reporting should consider the potential impact on children, especially when producing content related to them. Such content can sometimes affect their mental well-being, leading to long-term emotional scars and impacting their future lives.
“Revealing a child’s identity can cause emotional distress, create lasting memories, and importantly, leave a digital footprint. Moreover, it can violate personal rights under various laws that many may not consider or may be unaware of,” said Mr. Varawut.
The Minister of the MSDHS cited examples of child rights violations, such as the cases of “Nong Kao, the grateful young merchant” and “Nong Pai, the gas station attendant,” which garnered significant media attention. He pointed out that although the media’s intentions may be good, their reporting can still infringe upon children’s privacy.
“I understand and sympathize with everyone in the media ecosystem, where competition for ratings, followers, likes, and shares (engagement) impacts the credibility and survival of content creators and the mass media,” said Mr. Varawut.
Mr. Varawut added that communication by the media or individuals through social media channels can affect children’s image and the child protection process, especially negative news directly related to children and youth. One example is the case of children engaging in activities to “connect their minds”, which was widely reported across all media channels and presented from different perspectives.
According to the 2018 annual statistical report by the National Statistical Office, social media usage grew by 94.1%. In 2022, a survey found that 16 million children and youth, or 98% of that age group, had access to the internet. Children and youth under 20 had the highest online and internet usage, averaging 12 hours per day. Their most common online activities included communication through social media like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, primarily for entertainment.
However, negative impacts were also observed. A 2022 survey by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Thailand Internet Foundation found that online threats to children and youth include pornography, online gambling, and cyberbullying. These issues are prevalent throughout Thailand and globally, posing dangers that require close monitoring and guidance for children and youth.
“Often, communication by the media or individuals through social media channels impacts the image of individuals and organizations, as well as the child and youth protection process, especially negative news directly related to children and youth,” said Mr. Varawut.
Mr. Varawut concluded by inviting media outlets and content creators to present news with consideration for child rights and to collaborate in creating a safe media ecosystem. This will ensure that children and youth can grow into capable and valuable citizens.
“I invite and ask for cooperation from all media professionals across all fields to join in designing the future of Thai children by creating a safe media ecosystem. When children feel safe, they can develop themselves and learn effectively,” said Mr. Varawut.
MSDHS Reveals Media Guidelines: How to Report on Children Without Violating Their Rights
The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), through the Department of Children and Youth, has developed “Guidelines for Presenting News to Protect and Safeguard Children and Youth.” These guidelines aim to provide a framework for presenting news related to children and youth in a constructive manner. The content covers the situation of children and youth, relevant laws, and guidelines for reporting on children and youth, developed in collaboration with the Media Development Foundation and the Thai Media Fund.
This initiative comes as Thailand’s demographic structure is changing, transitioning into a fully aged society. This has led to a decline in the number of children and youth, who are now exposed to rapid changes in the information age, with fast access to information impacting them both positively and negatively. The media, in particular, holds significant influence over the thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors of children and youth.
The “Guidelines for Presenting News to Protect and Safeguard Children and Youth” include: The demographic situation in Thailand, the state and trends of problems facing children and youth, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and media-related provisions, laws related to children and youth, violence against children, case-by-case child protection processes, the role of the media in child protection, and guidelines for presenting news about children that impacts families and society.
Specifically, the section on “Guidelines for Presenting News About Children that Impacts Families and Society” details: Seeking permission to interview, photograph, or access information about children, using children’s social media data, using simulated images, the right to be forgotten, presenting information about children in general situations, presenting information about child victims, presenting information about child perpetrators, presenting information about children in difficult circumstances, presenting information about children with disabilities, and presenting information about children with socially unacceptable illnesses. The MSDHS provides examples of DO’s and DON’Ts for presenting news about children to guide media professionals.
Presenting Information about Children in General Situations
DO’s
- Consider the child’s benefit and safety when disclosing their identity and obtain proper consent.
- Showcase children’s potential, such as being kind and having a volunteer spirit.
- Use drawings, cartoons, or infographics to protect their identity.
- Treat children of all genders, ethnicities, religions, and cultures equally.
- Provide a platform for children to express their opinions or play a role in matters directly impacting them.
DON’Ts
- Do not reveal the identity of the child or family members if it risks harm, except in cases of missing children.
- Do not present information that could harm or negatively judge the child.
- Do not present images/clips that are pornographic, obscene, or make the child appear foolish, pitiful, or pathetic.
- Do not publish images that could endanger the child, their relatives, or friends, even if blurred.
- Do not infringe on the privacy of the child and their family, and avoid digging up or presenting negative historical information.
- Do not use language that categorizes or segregates children, leading to stigmatization or mockery.
- Do not present news that is incomplete or not directly related to the child.
Presenting Information about Child Victims
DO’s
- Use language carefully, considering human rights, feelings, reputation, and the dignity of the child and their family.
- Interview officials instead of directly interviewing the child or the victim’s family.
- Cooperate with officials to assist the child or family before publicizing the information.
- Be cautious about creating online spaces for comments that might further victimize the child.
- Provide education, warnings, and correct understanding to society, along with methods to handle situations and proper channels for seeking help.
DON’Ts
- Do not reveal the identity of the child, family members, or close contacts, including case numbers or social media accounts, except in cases of missing children, but not in a way that harms the child.
- Do not present news that exacerbates the child’s and family’s suffering or exploits them for undue gain.
- Do not present information suggesting that being a victim is normal in society or due to bad luck.
- Do not present information that judges the child and family negatively or goes beyond the facts.
- Do not use descriptions of the abuse suffered.
- Do not interview the child directly to prevent emotional distress.
Presenting Information about Child Perpetrators
DO’s
- Prioritize the child’s best interests and avoid unfair discrimination.
- Conceal the child’s identity, regardless of whether they are a witness, victim, suspect, perpetrator, or even a child in a juvenile detention center appearing in charitable activities.
- Use cartoons, drawings, or descriptions instead of showing images of the child or those close to them.
- Use the following terms for children who have committed offenses:
- Before reporting to the police: “Suspected child”
- During investigation: “Child accused of committing an offense”
- After a court conviction: “Child who committed an offense”
- Present in a general manner, avoiding specific details about the child, and provide information on prevention and rehabilitation. Encourage all involved parties to cooperate in solving or preventing the problem.
- Be cautious about allowing comments on social media that might further victimize the child perpetrator.
- In cases of game addiction, present balanced information on economic, technological, social, medical, and public health aspects.
DON’Ts
- Do not present the child’s identity, investigative information in criminal cases, or history of offenses that could reveal the child’s identity.
- Do not use harsh, condemnatory, judgmental, or negative language that could impact the child, their family, and those involved, or lead to social exclusion.
- Do not present the information in a way that might encourage the child to commit offenses or incite imitation.
Presenting Information about Children in Difficult Circumstances
DO’s
- Be cautious about explicitly revealing the child’s identity.
- If mentioning the name of a shelter, refugee center, or aid center linked to the child, ask for their consent and obtain proper permission.
- Present positively. If permission is granted to show the child’s image, present it in a positive light.
- Be especially careful when presenting information that might affect the child’s mental well-being.
- Focus on presenting information that leads to assistance and follow up on and summarize the child’s aid situation.
- Verify the credibility of individuals or organizations raising funds for the child.
- Provide contact information for organizations assisting the child in conjunction with the content.
DON’Ts
- Do not present information about the child with the intent to harm their mental well-being, reputation, dignity, or other rights, or to exploit them for undue gain.
- Do not present the child’s image in a pitiful manner. If presentation is necessary for aid, use images or present in a way that does not reveal the child’s identity.
- Do not use negative language toward the child or their family. Instead, present factual information that leads to prevention and addresses the problem broadly.
Presenting Information about Children with Disabilities
DO’s
- Be cautious about revealing the child’s identity unless proper permission is obtained and it is in the child’s best interest.
- Interview the parents or guardians instead of directly interviewing the child.
- Present positive information, such as their abilities and participation in joyful activities, with proper consent.
- Use terms like “girl” or “boy” without specifying the disability. If it is necessary to mention the disability, use terms like:
- Children with physical impairments
- Children with special needs, autistic children
- Children with intellectual disabilities
- Vulnerable groups, etc.
- Include information and opinions from psychologists or child disability experts to explain the child’s behavior or special needs.
- Focus on presenting information that leads to assistance or the child’s best interests, not pity.
- Verify the credibility of individuals or organizations raising funds for the child.
DON’Ts
- Do not present information about the child with the intent to harm their mental well-being, reputation, dignity, or other rights, or to exploit them for undue gain.
- Do not present the child’s identity or disability in a pitiful manner, seeking pity, infringing on their human dignity, or exacerbating their suffering.
- Do not present information that is derogatory toward children with disabilities, use negative language, or reinforce their disability, showing disrespect or disdain.
Presenting Information about Children with Socially Unacceptable Illnesses
DO’s
- Be cautious about presenting information that could hinder the normal life of the child and their family.
- Conceal the identity of the child, family members, or close contacts unless proper permission is obtained, considering the best interests and protection of the child and their family to live normally in society.
- Use drawings, cartoons, and descriptions that protect the child and their family.
- Present information that promotes prevention, provides knowledge about the illness, and offers advice on coexisting in society.
DON’Ts
- Do not present information about the child or family members with the intent to harm their mental well-being, reputation, dignity, or other rights, or to exploit them for undue gain.
- Do not cause the child and family to feel sad, ashamed, leading to increased harm or social exclusion due to the illness.
- Do not present false or misleading information that causes misunderstandings and negatively impacts the child and their family.
The MSDHS hopes that the media will prioritize these guidelines to collectively create a safer society for children and youth in Thailand.
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