NEW YORK, NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – A call for accelerated measures to safeguard children and young people from escalating risks associated with online information has been issued by the United Nations. The organization’s latest issue brief identifies disinformation, hate speech, harassment, algorithmic manipulation, and artificial intelligence as key issues. It also underscores dangers connected to data collection, behavioral advertising, and digital systems designed to capture attention. This warning coincides with the growing reliance of youth on online platforms for education, communication, information, and civic engagement.
Ahead of International Youth Day on Aug. 12, the Department of Global Communications issued the brief. It reports that over 82% of individuals aged 15 to 24 are internet users worldwide, facilitating access to education, civic participation, and economic inclusion. Nevertheless, such online environments can pose risks to the cognitive, emotional, and social development of younger users. The report further emphasizes that children and adolescents are still acquiring the skills necessary to evaluate the information they encounter online.
The UN categorizes these threats into three groups focusing on technology, distribution channels, and harmful content. Risks related to technology include the misuse of digital tools and artificial intelligence. Concerns regarding access and dissemination involve algorithms, digital inequality, and diminished access to independent journalism. Content-related threats encompass disinformation, online harassment, and hate speech. The report indicates that these issues often intersect, as technology influences how information is delivered and which content receives prominence on digital platforms.
Digital platforms face increased scrutiny over child protection
A significant portion of the brief concentrates on how leading technology companies develop digital services and generate revenue. It states that attention-driven systems may promote practices that exploit psychological vulnerabilities among younger audiences. Data collection and behavioral advertising can also facilitate highly personalized marketing strategies. Key concerns include exposure to extreme content and features designed to foster compulsive usage. The report urges technology firms and AI developers to embed child rights and safety considerations into product and service design.
Several governments worldwide are exploring or implementing stricter online safety regulations for minors. Common proposals include age-specific restrictions on social media access. However, the UN’s brief notes that such restrictions alone do not fully mitigate digital risks. It also highlights that online spaces serve vital functions such as education, social interaction, and emotional support. Youth-led organizations increasingly utilize digital platforms for advocacy, organization, and civic participation, yet they also face threats like harassment, surveillance, and disinformation.
Broad UN initiatives include AI safety measures
Artificial intelligence introduces new complexities to online safety discussions. UN Secretary-General António Guterres promoted an AI Child Safety Pledge during the July Global Dialogue on AI Governance. He emphasized that companies should carry out child-specific safety testing and undergo independent oversight before launching AI systems accessible to children. The pledge also advocates for zero tolerance toward AI-generated sexual images involving children, advocating for detection, reporting, and removal of such material from digital systems.
The United Nations asserts that safeguarding youth necessitates a coordinated effort involving governments, technology firms, advertisers, researchers, educators, and civil society. Its approach stresses the importance of children and youth actively participating in decisions that impact digital environments. The brief incorporates five UN Global Principles for Information Integrity, which include trust, healthier incentives, public empowerment, independent media, transparency, and research. The UN emphasizes that young users should be afforded enhanced protections while maintaining opportunities for learning, communication, content creation, and civic engagement online.