NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – As digital platforms continue to transform how children and young people access information, the United Nations is urging for stronger protections to address emerging risks. A newly published UN issue brief outlines concerns related to disinformation, hate speech, harassment, artificial intelligence, and online systems driven by attention. It highlights issues concerning personal data, behavioral advertising, and algorithmic content distribution. The report emphasizes that vulnerable young users require more robust safeguards, while still maintaining access to education, communication, and public engagement online.
This brief was issued by the Department of Global Communications ahead of International Youth Day on Aug. 12. According to the report, over 82% of individuals aged 15 to 24 are internet users worldwide. Digital connectivity can open doors to learning, civic participation, and economic opportunities. However, young users often encounter harmful content during their formative years, all while developing their ability to discern accurate information. The brief points out that online risks may have adverse effects on cognitive, emotional, and social growth.
The report categorizes these dangers into three main domains. Technological risks involve the misuse of artificial intelligence and other digital tools. Risks related to distribution include algorithmic biases and unequal access to trustworthy information. Content-related threats encompass disinformation, harassment, and hate speech. The UN notes that these challenges frequently interact since digital systems influence what users see and how content is disseminated. When platforms combine automated recommendations, data collection, and personalized content, younger audiences can face multiple simultaneous risks.
Focus shifts to platform design considerations
The brief also explores business models that rely heavily on user attention, personal data, and targeted advertising. It suggests that engagement-centric designs can expose children to extreme content and features that promote repeated use. Personalized marketing adds further complexity to the risks faced by younger users. The report urges technology firms and AI developers to prioritize children’s rights and safety during product development. It also calls for increased accountability regarding the systems that determine what young people see online.
The issue of age restrictions has become a significant part of the ongoing debate over social media and child protection. The UN stresses that age limits alone are insufficient to fully address online information risks. Digital environments can also serve as platforms for education, social interaction, and emotional support. Young users leverage these spaces to generate content, organize campaigns, and participate in civic discourse. The brief advocates for safeguards that protect children without restricting beneficial access to digital tools that facilitate learning, communication, and engagement.
Child safety concerns expand to include AI regulation
Artificial intelligence introduces new challenges into the online ecosystem. Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an AI Child Safety Pledge aimed at systems accessible to children. The initiative involves child-specific safety testing and stronger oversight before deployment. It also seeks decisive action against AI-generated sexual images involving minors. The broader UN strategy urges developers to identify, report, and eliminate such content while incorporating child safety measures into accessible AI systems.
The report underscores the collective responsibility of governments, technology companies, advertisers, researchers, educators, and civil society to mitigate digital harm. It advocates for the participation of children and young people in decisions shaping their online environment. Applying the UN Global Principles for Information Integrity, the brief highlights that the progress of child safety, information accuracy, and digital involvement should go hand in hand as online platforms and AI become integral to everyday life.