Legal aspects of children’s privacy on the Internet: balance between protection and freedom

The article is devoted to the study of legal aspects of protection of personal data of minors in the digital environment. In today’s world, the development of information technologies and the widespread use of the Internet create new challenges for the legal system, in particular with regard to the protection of personal data of children and adolescents. The article analyzes national and international legislation regulating the protection of personal data of minors, in particular the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Ukrainian legal acts. Different approaches to giving consent to the processing of personal data by minors are highlighted, in particular, the role of parents or legal representatives in this process. Existing methods of ensuring consent, such as double opt-in, as well as challenges associated with the practical implementation of these methods are considered. The article also outlines the risks children face online, including illegal data collection, including cyberbullying, phishing, child trafficking and other threats. The need to implement effective legal mechanisms for the protection of children on the Internet, which ensure both safety and freedom of information activity, is emphasized. Ensuring the security of personal data of minors in the digital environment should become one of the priority tasks of modern legal regulation, which requires a comprehensive approach and integration of the best international practices. The author concludes that the effective protection of children’s personal data requires a balanced approach that would combine a high level of security with respect for the rights and freedoms of the child in the digital environment. Increasing the level of digital literacy among children and their parents, as well as creating an appropriate legal infrastructure, are important factors that will contribute to reducing risks in the digital environment. The integration of such approaches into the national legal system should become a priority to ensure the sustainable development of the information society. Successful implementation of these initiatives will not only reduce potential threats to children, but also contribute to the formation of a safe and responsible information space for future generations.