What we learned from Orange’s work on children’s rights

Q: Orange scored a perfect 10/10 in our Governance and Collaboration Impact area. What motivated this strategic commitment to children’s rights? 

 A: This score reflects our belief that children’s rights and protection must be embedded at the highest level of governance. Our Board regularly reviews these issues as part of our digital inclusion and human rights strategy.  Aware of the impact of our activities, and strengthened by ongoing dialogue with our stakeholders, we have chosen to go beyond regulatory compliance by committing the company to the respect Children’s rights and protection. This commitment is also driven and supported by the vision of our CEO. Our CEO, Christel Heydemann, has spoken out on social media to defend children’s rights regarding access to pornography, bullying, and cyberbullying, while also promoting our #ForGoodConnections initiative, which is aimed at children, parents, and young people. 

Q: Why is collective action essential in addressing child labour risks in telecom supply chains? 

 A: The depth and complexity of supply chains in the telecom sector often involves raw material suppliers from high-risk regions, where child labor remains a recurring issue. Improving labor practices across global supply chains is a challenge no company can solve alone. Through JAC, we collaborate with industry peers to uphold standards, share audits, and engage suppliers in order to prevent and mitigate risks related to child labor.

Aware of our capacity to influence deep into the supply chain, we have chosen to launch a unique collective remediation initiative together with three other JAC member operators. This initiative supports the NGO Save the Children’s project, the “Hub for Child Labour Prevention and Remediation” which has since been joined by additional operators. In parallel, we also support coalitions specifically dedicated to combating child labor, such as the ILO Child Labour Platform, of which Orange has been a member since 2017 and where a dedicated working group in the DRC focuses on developing a system to identify and register children working in artisanal mines. 

Q: What role should companies like Orange play in protecting children online, beyond regulation? 

 A: Legislation is a vital step in strengthening child safety online, but it’s only part of the solution. At Orange, we believe businesses must recognize the influence and responsibility they hold in shaping a safer digital world for young people. It is in this context that we launched the For Good Connections initiative, to address cyberbullying, screen overexposure, excessive use of digital technologies, and access to inappropriate content.

 We also take part in projects such as Listen Up!, led by the Global Child Forum, which gives children a voice and amplifies the perspectives of young people. The aim is to better understand their needs and the risks they face, in order to promote and provide tools that foster safer digital practices for children and their families.