Open Justice in the Digital Age – Rights of Children in the Criminal Justice System

Aims of research
The purpose of this research is to identify and analyse:

1)how children who come into conflict with the law and the Children’s Court in Victoria are being portrayed in mainstream media;

2)how children who come into conflict with the law and the Children’s Court in Victoria are being referred to on social media platforms by third party users;

3)from the perspective of key stakeholders, what opportunities and challenges exist for the Children’s Court in Victoria as an ‘open court’ in the digital age, with a particular focus on exploring the impact of social media platforms and digital technologies on ‘open justice’ and on the protection of children’s rights.

The initial scoping pilot study is designed to provide also refinement of research questions and methods that can form the basis of further externally-funded investigations. These issues are set to grow in significance over the next number of years, particularly with the rise of new technologies and the evolving use and development of social media platforms. The UN Secretary-General’s call for a ‘data revolution’ to assist with the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (2014), presents the opportune context in which more enhanced debate and discussions should take place between children, the Courts, mainstream media, social media platform providers and data science communities. It is anticipated that the findings will demonstrate the need for reform and training for key professionals and stakeholders in Victoria and will provide the foundation evidence-base to apply for further funding to co-design information and training for the judiciary and other key professionals.