Digital Media and Children's Rights: "Distributed Responsibility"

This article examines the foundations of children's rights regarding access to digital media and their right to protection from digital media harms. By utilizing the concept of "distributed responsibility" in networked actions and adopting a socio-technical systems approach, the article demonstrates that "responsibility for protecting children's rights from digital media harms" lies with all network actors within a digital media platform. The evaluation of fulfilling this responsibility is also contingent upon the consequences of actions and the conditions of the recipient of the action (the child). Finally, the article discusses the outcome of this approach in explaining how mechanisms for controlling inappropriate television programs for children by parents, through the use of age classification systems and television microchips, highlight the importance of intertwined human-social, cultural aspects within its technical dimensions.