NEW YORK, NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – United Nations is urging quicker measures to shield children and adolescents from increasing online threats. An updated UN issue brief highlights significant concerns like disinformation, hate speech, harassment, algorithmic bias, and artificial intelligence. It also points out dangers related to data collection, targeted behavioral advertising, and digital systems designed to attract users. The warning arrives as young people depend heavily on digital spaces for education, communication, information, and civic engagement.
Department of Global Communications issued the brief ahead of International Youth Day on Aug. 12. It reports that over 82% of individuals aged 15 to 24 are internet users worldwide. This connectivity supports education, civic involvement, and economic access. However, unsafe online environments can impact the mental, emotional, and social growth of young users. The report notes children and teens are still developing skills needed to evaluate online information critically.
The UN categorizes these risks into three groups: technology, distribution channels, and harmful content. Risks involving technology include misuse of digital tools and artificial intelligence. Distribution risks involve algorithms, digital inequality, and limited access to independent journalism. Content-related dangers include disinformation, online harassment, and hate speech. The report emphasizes that these issues often overlap, as technology influences how information is delivered and which content gains prominence across digital platforms.
Concerns Mount Over Child Safety on Digital Platforms
The brief emphasizes how major tech platforms design digital services and generate revenue. It states that systems driven by user attention can foster practices that exploit young users’ psychological vulnerabilities. Data collection and behavioral advertising further enable highly tailored marketing. The report highlights risks such as exposure to extreme content and compulsive design features. It urges tech firms and AI developers to embed child rights and safety into their product development processes.
Various governments are exploring or have enacted stricter online safety regulations for children. Restrictions based on age for social media use are among the most debated measures. The UN brief argues that such restrictions alone do not cover all digital risks. It also recognizes that online spaces support education, social connection, and emotional support. Youth groups increasingly use digital platforms for advocacy, organization, and civic participation. At the same time, they face harassment, surveillance, and disinformation online.
UN Promotes AI Safety Measures as Part of a Larger Strategy
AI has introduced new challenges to online safety. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an AI Child Safety Pledge during the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in July. He urged companies to perform child-specific safety testing and seek independent oversight before deploying AI systems accessible to children. The pledge also advocates for zero tolerance towards AI-generated sexual images involving children, including steps to detect, report, and remove such content.
The United Nations asserts that protecting young people requires coordinated efforts from governments, tech firms, advertisers, researchers, educators, and civil society. Its strategy emphasizes meaningful involvement of children and youth in decisions about digital environments. The brief endorses five UN Global Principles for Information Integrity—trust, healthier incentives, public empowerment, independent media, transparency, and research. The UN insists that youth should have stronger safeguards while still benefiting from online learning, communication, content creation, and civic participation opportunities.