From Cradle to Cloud: Surveillance and Digitalisation around Childhood
On July 4 2025, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) and the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) Trainees are organising a conference From Cradle to Cloud: Surveillance and Digitalisation around Childhood, aiming to reflect and foster discussion on the digital rights of children and minors in today’s world.
When: July 4, 14:00 to 16:30 hours (GMT+2, Brussels time, starting with a welcome coffee)
Where: European Parliament (Room 1A002, Spaak Building), Brussels, Belgium
The discussion will center around:
- How do technological developments affect children’s fundamental right to privacy, from social media to AI agents?
- What are the privacy implications of personalised learning?
- How to foster privacy compliance and literacy in the classroom?
What to look forward to?
From AI-powered toys and chatbots to rising exposure on social media platforms, the latest technological developments are having an unprecedented impact in the digitalisation of minors. These tools are also transforming the educational landscape. Learning environments processing sensitive student data entail the risk of profiling or automated decision-making. Participants will share insights on regulatory frameworks, best practices and solutions to ensure that children’s data remain protected while fostering a safe and enriching online environment.
Children stand out as particularly vulnerable human beings in the scope of personal data protection, mainly because they are not yet able to make decisions for themselves as adults would; and fail to understand the implications and risks of sharing their personal data and generating a digital footprint. Whether their personal data stays on a cloud server or is released to the public on a social media platform by their parents, they do not have a say on this early digital footprint as it is being generated.
The event will bring together stakeholders in the fields of data protection and children’s rights to explore the privacy implications of an increasingly digitalised environment.
The EDPS & EDPB Trainees Conference offers the opportunity to engage with stakeholders in meaningful and timely discussions about current data protection issues. As per tradition, these talks provide a platform for young professionals in the institutions to apply their knowledge, gain practical experience and engage in discussions about data protection in a dynamic environment.