Digital Contact and the Child’s Right to Family Life in Institutional Care

KONOPKOVÁ, Silvie. Digital Contact and the Child’s Right to Family Life in Institutional Care. In Cyberspace 2025, Brno, Česká republika. 2025.

Základní údaje

Originální název

Digital Contact and the Child’s Right to Family Life in Institutional Care

Autoři

KONOPKOVÁ, Silvie ORCID

Vydání

Cyberspace 2025, Brno, Česká republika, 2025

---

Další údaje

Jazyk

angličtina

Typ výsledku

Prezentace na konferencích

Obor

50500 5.5 Law

Stát vydavatele

Česká republika

Utajení

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Označené pro přenos do RIV

Ne

Organizační jednotka

Právnická fakulta

Klíčová slova anglicky

family law; children; institutional care; indirect contact; best interest; digital technologies

---

Anotace

V originále

Indirect digital contact refers to communication between a child and their parents or other close persons through electronic means such as phone calls, video calls, or messaging applications. In certain situations, such as cases of institutional or protective care, it may be the only practically feasible way to maintain family ties. This paper examines the legal nature of such contact as a component of the child’s right to family life under Article 10(2) of the Czech Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms and Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. It analyses cases in which this form of contact is restricted or entirely denied. Attention is given to the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, which emphasises individual risk assessment and rejects blanket restrictions. The paper further explores the potential conflict with other interests, particularly health protection, prevention of technology overuse (net addiction), cybersecurity risks, and the child’s right to a safe environment. The aim is to demonstrate that digital contact must be afforded legal protection and that any restrictions must adhere to the principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality.