Responsible Data for Children (RD4C): “From schools to clinics to the phones in their hands, children are generating more data than ever before. This data holds enormous potential, both informing smarter policies and helping every child to thrive. But with this opportunity comes serious risks, too. Misuse, breaches, and privacy violations are all too common. Without strong governance, the very systems meant to support children can expose them to harm, bias, or exclusion.
Since 2019, the Responsible Data for Children (RD4C) initiative—a partnership between UNICEF and The GovLab at New York University—has worked to strengthen and promote responsible data practices for and about children, from collection to processing to use—across every stage throughout the entire data lifecycle.
In this time, RD4C.org has reached more than 10,000 users across 165 countries, with its tools and resources viewed over 74,000 times—a reflection of growing global momentum to make data governance work better for children.
We are now pleased to announce the launch of an upgraded RD4C.org: a more accessible, dynamic, and action-driven platform to support responsible data use for and about children in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
What’s New
RD4C.org has been upgraded with a fresh design and new features to scale impact, deepen accessibility, and better equip those working to uphold children’s rights in the rapidly evolving digital age.
- Multilingual Access: The upgraded RD4C.org is now available in five languages — English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Chinese. By making the site and its resources accessible in multiple languages, RD4C empowers practitioners, policymakers, and advocates including children and young people to adapt and apply child-centered data governance principles across diverse political, cultural, and operational contexts.
- Comprehensive Resource Hub: The redesigned resource section brings together videos, case studies, and RD4C tools in one cohesive space. This enhanced collection page offers practical, actionable insights for anyone working to advance child-centered data governance, whether shaping national policies, improving service delivery, or designing ethical data systems.
- A New Editorial Space for Global Commitment: As part of our deepening commitment to cross-sector collaboration, RD4C.org now hosts a dedicated space spotlighting the Commitment to Data Governance Fit for Children—a global initiative launched at the 2024 UN World Data Forum to co-develop responsible data systems with and for children, grounded in their rights and realities. This new editorial focus featured in the blog section highlights practical insights from both young people and key committed partners — including UNICEF, the Govlab, GPSDD, the Datasphere Initiative, the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, Highway Child, Develop Metrics, and others — showcasing real-world efforts to make data governance truly fit for children…(More)”.
