{
  "id": 9344239,
  "title": "A Joint Regional Initiative to Ensure the Digital Safety of Children",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/a-joint-regional-initiative-to-ensure-the-digital-safety-of-children",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T10:33:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/a-joint-regional-initiative-to-ensure-the-digital-safety-of-children/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A joint regional initiative aimed at safeguarding children and young individuals from digital risks was discussed at the Prime Minister's Office on September 21. The event, chaired by Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, brought together representatives from UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO). The discussion highlighted three primary areas for implementing child digital safety measures: awareness and empowerment, \"Safety by Design\" concept, and legislation and enforcement. Efforts have already been made to raise awareness, with the Digital Task Force drafting Online Safety Guidelines for Children and the Ministry of Education working to implement these guidelines. The \"Safety by Design\" concept emphasizes integrating safety and privacy in the design of digital platforms. A regional conference is proposed for Sri Lanka in the first half of 2027, supported by WHO, to strengthen cooperation among countries with nearly two billion people. Prior to this conference, a Roundtable Dialogue, also backed by WHO and UNICEF, will involve ministries of Education, Women and Child Affairs, Justice, Public Security, Health, and the Digital Economy. Representatives from UNICEF and WHO, alongside others, participated in the discussion to further define actions moving forward.",
  "summary": "A special discussion on developing a joint national and regional programme to protect children and young people from the risks they face in the digital environment and on social media was held at the Prime Minister’s Office on September 21, under the patronage of Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, with the participation of […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}