You have the right to privacy

Every child has the right to privacy from birth. The right to privacy means that other people – including your parents or guardians – are not allowed to interfere in your personal matters, read your private messages or damage your reputation without a justified reason. You are allowed to have private matters and personal secrets that you do not have to share with anyone.

Children and young people also have the right to domestic peace and privacy of correspondence. For example, no one is allowed to post pictures or information about you on social media without your permission.

What does this mean?

You have the right to privacy. Your personal matters are just yours; no one is allowed to breach your privacy by reading your diary or letters or going through your phone or possessions without your permission. You decide when and with whom you share your thoughts and feelings and which personal details and images of yourself you share and with whom. Young people also have the right to use sexual health services and other similar sources of support confidentially and without permission from a guardian.

However, the right to privacy does not mean that you should always keep everything to yourself. Sharing your feelings and thoughts with parents, guardians and friends is a good habit and will often help you feel better.
It is also important to remember that parents and guardians have a duty to ensure your wellbeing. They are not allowed to read your private messages arbitrarily, but in some cases a well-founded and serious reason – such as suspicion of abuse or self-harm – may override your right to privacy. Even in such cases, it is preferable if you can reach an agreement on showing your messages.

You should also protect your privacy online. Keep your passwords secure and do not share your personal details without consideration. Check the privacy settings on your social media accounts and think carefully about what you post. Remember that no one else has the right to publish your personal details or identifiable photos of you without your permission – not even a parent or guardian.