Under the UNCRC, a child means every human being below the age of 18.

A child has all the rights in the UNCRC until they are 18 years old. 

The UNCRC applies to all under 18s, with no exceptions. Governments should make sure that every child has equal access to their rights.

Governments should make sure that children are protected against discrimination.

When adults make decisions, they should think how they affect children and do what is best for them.

Governments must make sure that children’s rights are protected.

Governments must make sure other people respect children’s rights.

My family should help me know and use my own rights

Children have the right to life. Governments should make sure that children develop and grow healthily and should protect them from things which could hurt them.

Governments should make sure I have a legally registered name and a nationality. Children have the right to know who their parents are.

Governments should respect children’s right to their own name and nationality. Their family ties should be respected.

Governments should only separate children from their parents if it is
the best thing for them.

Governments should make sure children can have contact with their parents if they don’t live with them.

In discussions around separation, children should be given a chance for their views to be taken into account when decisions are made.

Governments should let families move between countries so that parents and children can stay in contact.

If children have parents living in different countries, they have the right to stay in contact with both of them.

Governments should do all they can to stop children being taken out of their own country illegally.

Governments should work with other governments to make sure this doesn’t happen.

When adults are making decisions that affect children they should ask them what they think.

Adults should take account of children’s views when making the decision.

Children should be supported to give their views in a way that is best for them.

Governments should help children get the information they need, and make sure that information they access via the internet or other media is accurate.

Governments should let children access and share information, unless it is damaging to them or someone else.

Governments shouldn’t stop children from saying what they think.

Governments should make sure no one stops children from practising their religion or beliefs. Parents should guide their children in this.

Governments should make sure children can meet with friends and join groups or organisations.

Governments should make sure children can safely meet other people in public spaces to protest peacefully when they want to change things.

There should be laws to make sure a child’s diary, online messages and phone calls remain private.

Governments should protect children from attacks against them, their way of life and their home.

Both parents share the responsibility for bringing up children. Parents should always consider what is best for each child.

Governments should help parents by providing services to support them to be better parents.

Governments should make sure that children are properly cared for. There should be laws to protect children from violence, abuse and neglect from adults.

If children cannot be looked after by their own family, they must be looked after properly, by people who respect their religion, culture and language.

Governments should make sure that alternative care is available for children

Article 21 of the UNCRC says that when a child or young person is adopted or living in foster care, their best interests should come first.

If a child comes to live in another country as a refugee, they should have the same rights as children born in that country as well as special protection as a refugee.
Governments should try to help find the family of any refugee child.

Disabled children should be supported to reach their full potential. They should be provided with activities with others so that they can be an active participant in their own community.

Governments should make sure disabled children receive an education, health care and opportunities to relax, play and do other activities.

Governments should make sure children can get good quality health care.

Governments should make sure children have nutritious food and a clean environment so they can stay healthy.

If a child is in care, local authorities should regularly check on how children are doing.

Governments should make sure this happens.

Governments should help children’s families if they cannot afford all the things they need to meet their mental and physical needs.

Governments should make sure families have access to good housing, healthy food and warm clothing.

Governments should make sure children can get an education without it costing their family money.

Schools should respect my dignity.

Children should be able to stay in secondary education as long as they want.

Education should develop children’s respect for other people’s human rights.

Education should develop children’s respect for the environment.

Children should learn about their own culture and other cultures.

Governments should make sure children can learn the language, religion, and culture of their family if it is different from those of most people in the country where they live.

Adults should make sure children have the chance to play and relax in a safe, supportive and stimulating environment.

Governments should make sure children can be part of cultural and artistic activities.

When decisions are made about activities in the community, adults should include children in planning these

Governments should agree a minimum age for when children can start work. They should say how many hours children are allowed to work.

When children are old enough, there should be laws to make sure that adults who don’t stick to these rules are fined.

Governments should make sure children know about dangerous drugs.

Governments should protect children from coming into contact with them.

Governments should protect children from sexual abuse.

Nobody should do anything to children’s bodies that they do not want them to do, like touching them or taking pictures of them.

If children have been harmed or abused they should get the help they need to recover.

Governments should make sure that children are not taken from their family illegally.

Governments should make sure that children are not sold, kidnapped or trafficked.

If children break the law, governments should make sure that they are treated fairly, are kept safe and not put in prison with adults.

Governments should provide children with legal help and make sure they can have contact with their family.

Governments should not recruit children into the armed forces.

Governments should make sure that children are given extra protection when there is a war or armed conflict.

The Committee on the Rights of the Child has made it clear that no child under 18 should be recruited to the armed forces.

Governments should have laws to protect children from harm.

If they are hurt, neglected or badly treated, governments should provide children with special help to help them get better.

Governments should make sure that children accused of breaking the law have access to a lawyer.

There should be a special justice system for children.

Children should only be kept somewhere they are not allowed to leave as a last resort.

The rights listed in the UNCRC are a foundation on which governments can build.

Where governments have even better laws than in the UNCRC then governments should keep them.

Governments should make sure that adults and children know about the UNCRC.

They should make sure they do this in an appropriate and active way.

These articles explain how governments, the United Nations – including the Committee on the Rights of the Child and UNICEF - and other organisations work to make sure all children enjoy all their rights.