On 15 May 2026, a High-Level Round Table entitled
“Child Online Protection: Joining Efforts of Government, Business and International Organizations” was held in Minsk in both in-person and online formats.
The event was organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Regional Office for the CIS, in cooperation with the Belarusian State Academy of Communications, the Alliance for Child Protection in the Digital Environment, and the Global IT Cooperation Center, with the support of the Ministry of Communications and Informatization of the Republic of Belarus.
The round table served as an international platform for developing coordinated solutions in the field of child protection, bringing together representatives of government authorities, the private sector, international organizations, and the expert community.
Relevance and overall context In the context of rapid digital transformation, the proliferation of artificial intelligence, and the expansion of online services, the issue of child safety has become increasingly critical. As highlighted during the discussions, the digital environment offers vast opportunities for education and development for younger generations. At the same time, it poses significant risks, including cyberbullying, the spread of harmful content, personal data breaches, and emerging forms of online fraud.
The key objective identified by participants was to ensure that children are not left alone to face these threats and to foster the development of protective tools that can stay ahead of malicious actors.
A comprehensive approach to child protection The round table focused on a comprehensive approach to building a safe digital environment, emphasizing the coordinated development of three key areas:
- strengthening regulatory and legal frameworks;
- deploying advanced technological solutions, including AI-based tools;
- promoting educational and awareness-raising initiatives.
Participants stressed that effective child protection can only be achieved through coordinated efforts among governments, industry, educational institutions, and families.
National and sectoral protection mechanisms Special attention was given to practical measures implemented at the national level. In Belarus, responsibilities for child online safety are distributed among various institutions:
- the Ministry of Education acts as the policy coordinator;
- the Ministry of Communications and Informatization oversees technical implementation and cooperation with telecom operators;
- law enforcement agencies are responsible for crime prevention.
Particular emphasis is placed on developing safe internet access tools, including:
- parental control systems,
- content filtering mechanisms,
- dedicated child-friendly tariff plans,
- educational programmes by telecom operators and other private-sector stakeholders.
It was noted that alongside government measures, families and educational institutions play a vital role in fostering critical thinking and safe online behavior among children.
Thematic sessions: challenges, solutions and cooperation The programme of the round table included three thematic sessions, allowing participants to examine child online protection from multiple perspectives.
During the first session, participants discussed key challenges of the digital environment, ranging from cybercrime to the impact of online content on children’s mental health. Particular attention was given to common fraud schemes, preventive measures, and the need for systematic efforts to prevent crimes against minors online.
The second session focused on practical mechanisms for creating a safe digital environment. Governmental and corporate approaches were presented, including:
- regulation of access to online resources;
- strengthening children’s digital resilience (“digital immunity”);
- implementation of filtering and monitoring technologies;
- educational programmes and private-sector initiatives.
It was emphasized that child safety must be ensured at all levels—from technological solutions to the development of digital culture.
The third session addressed international cooperation and exchange of best practices. Participants reviewed initiatives by international organizations and alliances aimed at protecting children online and discussed opportunities to scale successful practices and build sustainable partnerships.
Outcomes and practical results One of the outcomes of the round table was the signing of cooperation agreements between the Belarusian State Academy of Communications, the Alliance for Child Protection in the Digital Environment, and the Global IT Cooperation Center.
Participants noted that further cooperation will
- strengthen coordination at national and international levels;
- accelerate the deployment of effective child protection tools;
- expand the scope of educational and awareness-raising initiatives.
Active discussions throughout the event confirmed a high level of stakeholder commitment to fostering a safe, resilient, and inclusive digital environment for children, as well as the need to continue cooperation in this area.