• In its 6th edition, the contest had more than 2,000 participants who, through more than 500 videos, addressed issues such as cyberbullying, grooming, and issues related to personal image and self-esteem, among others.
• "Your comments leave an impact" and "No more cyberbullying" were the titles of the videos that won first and second place.

Buenos Aires, November 2023 - The 6th edition of the "Zoom into your Rights" contest announced its winners, highlighting the concerns affecting children and adolescents up to 18 years of age in Latin America and the Caribbean in the digital world. With a record of more than 2,000 participants and 500 videos submitted, this annual event has proven to be a powerful platform for the region's youth to voice their concerns and promote a safe online environment that respects their rights.

The videos submitted to the contest reflected a wide variety of critical concerns, among which cyberbullying (30%) and grooming (12.2%) stood out, reinforcing the importance of working in schools on peer harassment and preventing the risk of online sexual abuse. The number of videos on self-image and self-esteem (10%) highlighted the need to foster self-confidence, deal with stereotypes, and believe in one's talents when shared on social networks.

On the other hand, many papers highlight the concern of ensuring that everyone has access to devices and the Internet (8%), and screen time (5%) was raised as a growing concern emphasizing the importance of a balanced use of technology.

Likewise, the dangerous online viral challenges were addressed in 5% of the videos where they talked about the need to raise awareness about their danger and another 5% highlighted the need to verify information and avoid fake news.

Some other topics expressed in the works were the impact of hate speech (4%), harmful habits related to the use of devices and social networks (2.4%), and the need to fight digital gender violence (1.8%).

In a ceremony broadcast via streaming, the contest, which each year is proof of the power of children and adolescents to express their concerns and lead change in the digital era, presented the awards to the winners, who once again demonstrated the importance of creating spaces for children and adolescents to talk about their concerns and needs online.

First place went to the group "Be Kind", from Paraguay, with the video "Your comments leave an impact". Second place went to " Digital Friends", from Colombia, with "No more cyberbullying". In addition, awards were given to "Creativity in audiovisual production", a mention received by the Argentine groups "Antihate" and "Los BOTistas", with their work "Haters in social networks" and "Screen Addiction", respectively. The "mention to the approach to the topic" was also given to the group REDIME - Interdistrict Network of School Municipalities (Peru), with its project "There are children who cry" and the award for "The school that sent the most videos" to Olami Ort School, from Mexico City, which submitted 63 videos.

Organized by Save the Children and the Chicos.net Association, the initiative involved more than 2,000 children and adolescents up to 18 years of age from countries such as Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Guatemala, Bolivia, Uruguay, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Paraguay and Venezuela.      

The winners won prizes that included computers, cell phones, and smartwatches, among others. In addition, a prize will be awarded to the school that submits the most videos, receiving a projector and a free cell phone for the teacher of the course.

Victoria Ward, Save the Children's Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, said about this edition: "The Zoom into your Rights contest is a very valuable tool to promote children's participation in a safe and meaningful way. This year, we have managed to reach more than 2 thousand children and adolescents who have shared their concerns about the risks of the virtual world and propose solutions to address them".

Andrea Urbas, Director of Chicos.net, said: "This year's record number of participants has been a true demonstration of the commitment and creativity of the youth of Latin America and the Caribbean. We have seen a courageous approach to issues such as cyberbullying, grooming, self-esteem, and Internet access. This contest is a call to action to create a safer and more protective virtual environment for children's rights in our region".

The jury that evaluated the videos was composed of prominent personalities linked to children's rights and the digital world: Mariela Reiman, Director of Chicos. net and expert in digital media; Steve Miller, Global Director of Child Protection at Save the Children International; Marta Benitez, Director of Global Infancia; Marcia Paola Valdiviezo Rodriguez, Young activist for the rights of children and adolescents; Sahara, Joseph and Juana, young winners of the Zoom 2022 Contest; Javier Palummo Lantes, Special Rapporteur on Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights; Alexander Bardales Barrios, Public Affairs Manager of the TikTok team for Latin America; and Mabel Bianco, Physician and President of the Foundation for the Study and Research of Women FEIM.

The initiative is also supported by partner organizations and networks in the region that make up the Civil Society Support Program for Latin America and the Caribbean (PASC): Action for Children, Ania, Cecodap, Ciprodeni, Equidad, Fundasil, Global Infancia, Ormusa, RedMuch, Paz y Esperanza, Fundación Paniamor, Red Nao Bata Eduque, Redesca, Red de Coaliciones Sur and the networks and movements led by girls, boys and adolescents Rednnyas, Molacnats and Yo también tengo algo que decir.

This year's edition of the Contest was supported by the Secretariat of Human Rights of the City of Buenos Aires, TikTok and the Government of Sweden.

More information about the 2023 Contest at www.concursozoom.org