Co-hosted by the Beijing Normal University (BNU) and the Beijing Internet Court (BIC), the second Internet Conference for Minors was held from May 27 to 29 at the BNU.

Vice-President of the BIC Zhao Ruigang attended and addressed the conference.

The second Internet Conference for Minors is held from May 27 to 29 at the Beijing Normal University. [Photo/Beijing Internet Court]

Centered around the theme of "Digital China and the Development and Protection of Minors," the opening ceremony tackled crucial topics such as minors' internet usage, internet literacy, as well as protection and education of them in cyberspace, pooling wisdom and resources to assist minors in adapting to an internet-influenced life and fostering their healthy growth.

In his address, Zhao noted that the BIC has always attached importance to the protection of minors. As part of their efforts, they successfully launched China's first internet juvenile tribunal and established a brand of minors protection. These initiatives are aimed at ensuring effective judicial protection for minors in the realm of cyberspace. The BIC will also join hands with the BNU in the research and development of internet literacy courses and digital parenting, as well as family education guidance in the field of online protection of minors, providing professional counseling for minors involved in litigation, and holding professional forums related to the protection of minors, so as to achieve mutual complementarity and in-depth cooperation, he said.

The Beijing Internet Court and the Beijing Normal University sign a cooperation framework agreement on online protection of minors. [Photo/Beijing Internet Court]

During the event, the BIC and BNU signed a cooperation framework agreement focusing on the online protection of minors. Under this agreement, the two parties will explore diversified collaboration models and engage in extensive cooperation in areas such as research and development, promoting online literacy, providing family education guidance, and implementing the mechanism that recommend and entrust officials of courts, procuratorates, and public security and justice authorities to serve as school part-time vice-principals so as to take charge of law-related affairs and better protect children.

Judges Sun Mingxi and Cui Lu from the Beijing Internet Court deliver keynote speeches at the parallel forums of the conference. [Photo/Beijing Internet Court]

The conference gathered renowned scholars and representatives from academic institutions and internet platforms. It featured parallel forums that delved into themes such as cyberspace governance and the development of minors' protection, innovation in digital culture integration and youth empowerment, AI education innovation and enhancing minors' literacy, minors' health and family education in the digital era, and the internet's impact on minors' development. An exhibition on minors’ internet literacy was also carried out simultaneously. Sun Mingxi and Cui Lu, both judges from the BIC attended the forums and delivered keynote speeches.