AICHR holds consultation on the Right to Mental Health for Children (AHRD 29(1)) in the Digital Age
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 3 November 2025 – The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) convened the Consultation on the Right to Mental Health (AHRD 29(1)) in the Digital Age, with a Focus on the Protection of Children’s Mental Health on 3 November in Brunei Darussalam.
The event brought together 60 participants, comprising of AICHR Representatives from ASEAN Member States, relevant ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, Civil Society Organisations, as well as policymakers, child mental health experts and digital safety practitioners, to discuss collective approaches to protect children’s mental well-being amid growing digital challenges.
The consultation opened with remarks by Ajman bin Haji Meludin, Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office and Representative of Brunei Darussalam to AICHR, followed by a keynote address from The Honorable Datin Seri Paduka Hajah Nor Hashimah binti Haji Mohammed Taib, Attorney General of Brunei Darussalam and former Representative Brunei Darussalam to AICHR, as the Guest of Honour. It was also followed by remarks from Edmund Bon Tai Soon, AICHR Chair and Representative of Malaysia to AICHR.
The consultation highlighted the importance of balancing digital access and protection for children, recognising it as an inevitable part of modern life while stressing that moderation should guide policies to ensure both access and protection. Speakers’ emphasised that prevention is better than cure, calling for continuous efforts to build digital resilience among children and adults through education and awareness programs.
The consultation also called for empathy-driven approaches that address underlying human challenges rather than merely restricting technology use. Continuous education and training for parents, teachers, and stakeholders were identified as essential to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to support children’s well-being in an increasingly digital world.
The one-day consultation featured thematic discussions on digital safety, stigma, regulation, and future well-being for children in ASEAN. It concluded with an interactive session outlining policy options and collective actions to strengthen regional cooperation in protecting children’s mental health in the digital era.
