NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – The United Nations is calling for enhanced protective measures for children and adolescents as digital platforms continue to transform how they access and engage with information. A recently published UN issue brief underscores the growing threats posed by disinformation, hate speech, harassment, artificial intelligence, and online systems driven by attention metrics. It also raises alarms about issues related to personal data privacy, behavioral advertising practices, and the way algorithms influence content distribution. The report emphasizes that younger users require more robust safeguards to ensure they can safely access online education, communicate with peers, and participate in public discourse.
Ahead of International Youth Day on Aug. 12, the Department of Global Communications issued the brief. According to the document, over 82% of individuals aged 15 to 24 are internet users worldwide. Digital connectivity offers significant opportunities for learning, civic involvement, and economic growth. However, it also exposes young people to harmful content during a crucial period of their cognitive and emotional development, and the brief notes that these online hazards can negatively impact their social skills as well. It highlights that online risks can affect multiple facets of a young person’s growth and well-being.
The report categorizes these online threats into three main areas. The first encompasses technological risks, including the misuse of artificial intelligence and other digital tools. The second involves risks from content distribution, such as algorithms and disparities in access to trustworthy information. The third covers content-related dangers like disinformation, harassment, and hate speech. The UN points out that these challenges often intersect because digital systems influence what users see and how content spreads widely. When platforms combine automated recommendations, data collection, and personalized content, young users may face several risks simultaneously.
Focus on Platform Design Grows Stronger
The brief also explores how business models based on user engagement, personal data, and targeted advertising contribute to online risks. It states that platforms prioritizing user activity can expose children to extreme or harmful material and include features that promote repeated use. Personalized advertising introduces an additional layer of concern for younger audiences. The report urges technology firms and AI developers to integrate children’s rights and safety considerations into the development of their products. Additionally, it calls for increased accountability for systems that influence what young people see and encounter online.
The debate around age restrictions has intensified in discussions about social media and children’s safety. The UN clarifies that age limits alone cannot fully address the broad spectrum of online information risks. Digital environments can also serve positive purposes by providing education, social interaction, and emotional support. Young users frequently create content, organize campaigns, and participate in public debates through these platforms. The brief advocates for safeguards that protect children while maintaining access to digital tools that promote learning, communication, and active participation.
AI Safety Becomes Integral to Child Protection Initiatives
Artificial intelligence introduces new challenges into the online ecosystem. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an AI Child Safety Pledge that encompasses systems accessible to children. The initiative advocates for child-specific safety testing and stronger supervision before AI systems are rolled out. It also emphasizes taking decisive action against AI-generated sexual images involving minors. The broader UN strategy encourages developers to identify, report, and eliminate such content while embedding child safety protections into AI technologies accessible to young users.
The report emphasizes that governments, tech corporations, advertisers, researchers, educators, and civil society all share responsibilities in mitigating digital harms. It also advocates for children and young people to be actively involved in decisions shaping online spaces. Applying the UN Global Principles for Information Integrity, the brief underscores that the safety of children, the integrity of information, and their engagement in digital environments should progress hand in hand as online platforms and AI systems become increasingly embedded in daily life.