A child is a young person who is not yet an adult. Children usually have many rights, which are protected by law. They can get food, a home, a school and health care. They also have the right to freedom of thought, opinion and religion. Children can have a say on things that affect them and adults should listen to them. However, they cannot be forced to do anything against their will.

The world’s population of children has increased dramatically in recent decades. There are now about 2.3 billion children.

Children are defined by law as people who have not reached the age of majority in their country, which is typically 18 years old. This definition applies to all people, regardless of whether they are male or female, what ethnicity or religion they are and if they have a disability. All children have human rights which should be respected by everyone, no matter what they do or where they live.

Some children are born with physical or mental disabilities, which can affect their ability to learn. Children who are ill should be given the best possible care and treatment. This includes access to quality education, which should be free for all. Children need a safe place to live and protection from violence and discrimination. They also need a healthy diet and enough sleep to be able to learn and develop.

Children need a good relationship with their parents and other adults who can look after them. They should be able to express their opinions, choose their friends and get help and support when they need it. However, adults must respect their right to privacy and not attack their reputations or families. Children have the right to get information from lots of different sources, including the Internet, radio and television, books and newspapers. They also have the right to get together with other children to play, relax and take part in cultural activities.

Every child has the right to an identity – an official record of who they are which includes their name and nationality. This should be kept safe and they should be able to get it back quickly if it is lost. They also have the right to use their own language, culture and religion – even if these are not shared by most other people in their country. However, they must be protected from people who try to make them have sex for money or sell them into slavery. They also have the right to a good education and a job which is not harmful to their health, safety or development. All governments must make sure that these rights are respected.