1. Self

The following UNCRC articles fall under the ‘self’ category of the best interests of the child framework. Examples of how common uses of children’s data can risk, or support, these rights are provided in Step 2 – Identifying impacts on the rights of the child of this guidance.

Article 6 - Life, survival and development

Children have an inherent right to life and survival, and their physical and emotional development should not be impeded.

Article 8 - Development and preservation of identity

Children have a right to develop and preserve their identity, including: nationality, name, family relations, gender and other personal identity characteristics.

Article 12 - Respect for the views of the child

Children who are capable of forming their own views have rights to express them, in all matters that affect them. Services can support this right by enabling children to have their views heard on an age appropriate platform.

Article 13 - Freedom of expression

Children have a right to seek, receive and impart ideas of all kinds, through any medium of their choice.

Services can support this right by providing off-by-default settings for children to share data that allows them to express themselves (for example participating in online debate or sharing self-made content).

Article 14 - Freedom of thought, conscience and religion

Children have a right to form and develop their own beliefs, including in their choice of religious and moral values.

Article 16 - Protection of privacy

Children have a right to be protected from arbitrary or unlawful interference with their privacy.

Article 19 - Protection from violence, abuse and neglect


Children have a right to be protected from all forms of physical or mental violence, abuse, maltreatment or exploitation.

Article 32 - Protection from economic exploitation

Children have a right to be protected from economic exploitation of all forms.

Article 33 - Protection from drug abuse

Children have a right to be protected from the illicit use of drugs and age-restricted substances.

Children who are capable of forming their own views have rights to express them, in all matters that affect them.

Article 34 - Protection from sexual exploitation

Children have a right to be protected from all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse. This includes coercion into unlawful sexual activity or creation of sexual content.

Article 36 - Protection from other forms of exploitation

Children have a right to be protected from all forms of exploitation detrimental to their welfare.