Child-Friendly, Concept of

The concept of child-friendly can be defined as suitable for children; child-centered; by and/or at least for children; adapted to children’s age and specific needs; protective, safe, promoting, and respecting child participation; respecting integrity and dignity of children; avoiding any kind of discrimination of children; and/or providing qualified and supportive services to children. This means setting up cultural, social, economic, political, ethical, aesthetic, and physical contexts in which children can live their childhoods in an appropriate space. This entry examines the rise of child-friendly ideologies, the link to children’s rights, and the concept’s main fields of impact.