Human Rights Defender Urges to Avoid Dissemination of Materials Leading to Bullying

The Human Rights Defender has reported through ongoing monitoring, written and verbal complaints, including calls received via the hotline, that recently, social networks have seen a widespread dissemination of videos involving children, which serve to target and subject them to bullying. Often, personal data is published without the knowledge and informed consent of the children and their legal representatives, which is unacceptable and unlawful.

In light of this, the Defender once again urges to refrain from producing, publishing, and disseminating materials that lead to the targeting and bullying of children. The publication of photos and videos involving children should be carried out solely in the best interest of the child, adhering to the principle of “do no harm.”

When publishing a child's personal data, uploading it on information communication networks, or making personal information accessible to others in any manner, the requirements set out by international and domestic legislation regarding the protection of personal data must be strictly upheld.

The Defender emphasizes that to prevent cases of violations of children's rights in the field of personal data protection, it is essential to conduct public awareness campaigns and training regarding the protection of children's personal data. This includes raising awareness of the requirements established by the Law of the Republic of Armenia on Personal Data Protection and the liabilities for violating them.

The Defender urges to refrain from producing, publishing, and disseminating such materials involving children while also emphasizing the importance of consistent monitoring by the relevant state authorities, including the Personal Data Protection Agency and the Commission on Television and Radio, to ensure a proper response to such cases.