Seminar by Prof. van der Hof - ‘Children’s Rights Under Pressure: The Commercialization of Digital Play’
As part of her research stay at the KU Leuven Centre for IT & IP Law (CiTiP), prof. Simone van der Hof will give a seminar on the commercialization of digital play on 27 October 2025.
Abstract: In the digital environment, children, by definition, play as consumers of commercial digital services. They play mobile games, are entertained on video-sharing platforms, and create playful content online. How the child's right to play is conceptualized seems at odds with the commercialization of digital play. In recent years, the child's right to economic exploitation, though traditionally focused on protecting children from exploitation through child labour, has been interpreted to capture various other ways in which digital service providers may economically exploit children. This includes forms of exploitation where the design of digital services puts pressure on money, time, and attention. As a result, there may be a negative impact on their development, health, and overall well-being. EU digital law provides higher protections to children as a vulnerable group; however, this has not resulted in a more age-appropriate digital environment. This lecture will share research on digital play and economic exploitation, reflect on recent developments, and discuss ways forward.
Simone van der Hof is a full Professor of Law and Digital Technology at the Center for Law and Digital Technology (eLaw) at Leiden Law School, Leiden University. Her research focuses on the intricate relationship between children’s rights and digital technologies, with a particular emphasis on three vital dimensions: privacy and data protection, protection against economic exploitation, and the fundamental right to play. Her work explores the ever-evolving landscape of children’s rights in the digital era, seeking to understand and address the unique regulatory challenges posed by digital technologies to the rights and well-being of children.
Registrations are now closed.