A/HRC/31/34 49. While the majority of international law is focused on the criminalization of activities and the punishment of offenders, there should also be recognition of the need to provide redress to child victims and to compensate them for the harm suffered. Compensation and restitution measures may ensure that child victims have the means to seek rehabilitation, recovery and reintegration. The ability to bring civil action should be provided regardless of the economic status of the victim, including through the provision of legal aid or through the establishment of a State-operated compensation system. B. Empowerment of children 50. Giving children the tools to protect themselves against threats on the Internet and to become more aware of their responsibilities is one of the most effective ways of safeguarding children’s rights not to be sexually exploited and abused. Children adopt new technologies with ease, but they need skills and confidence to be able to feel secure when they explore the borders of the digital universe. Children need to develop their capacities as digital citizens. 51. At the same time, children should be encouraged to develop their social skills and their “social literacy”. Digital and social literacy skills provide the foundation for the responsible use of ICT, and can enhance a child’s capacity to protect him or herself from harm. In particular, children with both digital and social skills are more likely to avoid, and adequately respond to, risks that they may encounter in the digital world. 24 52. A degree of risk is inherent in the use of ICT, with risk not just deriving from children’s behaviour online but also from the behaviour of others (such as peers) and perpetrators online and offline; the risk does not, however, inevitably translate into harm for children and young people. The more children engage in online activities, the more they gain skills and resilience, and become self-confident. In turn, the more skills they possess, the more opportunities they may explore, with a greater chance of encountering associated risks. More skills can, however, reduce the harm that children experience, and help children to cope better with such risks. 53. The potential of children to address their own protection concerns is closely associated with their evolving capacities. The fact that some children and young people adopt new technology quickly does not mean they do not require support, information and guidance on protection strategies in order to remain safe. 54. Given that curiosity is normal and healthy, adolescents need information about the risks and dangers of online contact, in particular with adults. Children should be informed in an age-appropriate and child-friendly manner on how to report threatening or inappropriate interactions and violence, and the process that is likely to follow. This requires the establishment of counselling, complaint and reporting mechanisms that are widely available, easily accessible, child-sensitive and confidential.25 55. In accordance with their obligations under article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, States should ensure the effective and ethical participation of children and young people in the development of policies and practices related to ICT and child sexual exploitation when designing prevention tools and in relation to children’s service needs. 24 25 12 Committee on the Rights of the Child, report of the 2014 day of general discussion, “Digital media and children’s rights”, p. 83. Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Releasing Children’s Potential and Minimizing Risks (see footnote 1), p. 45.