A considerable amount of market, opinion, and social research and data analytics relies on the collection and processing of data from children, young people, and other vulnerable individuals. This is a legitimate and valuable form of research in which these individuals are entitled to the same rights and protections afforded other data subjects. As some may require special care there are precautions researchers are obliged to take to ensure the welfare of individual data subjects.
There currently is no common international definition of a child or young person. Even within a single country the definition can vary. Settling on an alternate definition based on characteristics other than age (e.g. cognitive abilities) and then applying it in a research setting is difficult if not impossible. Therefore, researchers must adhere to any relevant definitions expressed in applicable local laws, codes of conduct, and cultural norms. In the absence of clear guidance ESOMAR and GRBN recommend defining a child as being 12 and
under and a young person as aged 13 to 17.
While making a distinction between children and young people may be useful in some contexts, it generally is not practical to set out in specific rules for these two different age groups. This guideline recognizes that young people have significantly greater understanding and cognitive abilities when compared to children. Nonetheless, researchers must be alert to situations where the sensitive nature of the research or the circumstances of data collection might not be appropriate for those defined as young people. A key criterion must be that the content or circumstances of data collection are such that a responsible adult is unlikely to be upset or disturbed.
See full resource here:http://nimra.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/esomar-grbn-guideline-on-research-and-data-analytics-with-children-young-people-and-other-vulnerable-individuals-2018.pdf