NEW YORK, NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – The United Nations is urging accelerated measures to safeguard children and youth from escalating dangers associated with online information. A recent UN issue brief underscores major issues such as disinformation, hate speech, harassment, algorithmic manipulation, and artificial intelligence. It also emphasizes threats related to data harvesting, targeted behavioral advertising, and digital systems designed to capture attention. This warning coincides with the increasing reliance of young people on digital spaces for education, communication, information sharing, and civic engagement.
Published by the Department of Global Communications ahead of International Youth Day on Aug. 12, the brief reveals that over 82% of individuals aged 15 to 24 are internet users worldwide. This connectivity fosters learning, civic involvement, and economic inclusion. Nonetheless, it also exposes young users to harmful online environments that can negatively influence their cognitive, emotional, and social development. The report also highlights that children and teenagers are still acquiring the skills necessary to critically evaluate the information they encounter online.
The UN categorizes the online threats into three groups: technology, distribution mechanisms, and harmful content. Risks linked to technology include the misuse of digital tools and artificial intelligence. Distribution risks involve algorithms, digital inequality, and diminished access to independent journalism. Content-related dangers encompass disinformation, online harassment, and hate speech. The report notes these issues often intersect, as technological innovations shape how information is delivered and determine which content gains prominence across digital platforms.
Child safety concerns addressed amid scrutiny of digital platforms
A significant portion of the brief examines how major technology companies design digital services and derive profit. It argues that attention-based systems can foster practices that exploit psychological vulnerabilities among younger audiences. The report warns that data collection and behavioral advertising facilitate highly tailored marketing strategies. Concerns also include exposure to extreme content and compulsive design features. The UN urges tech firms and AI developers to prioritize child rights and safety throughout the development of their products and services.
In several regions worldwide, governments are exploring or implementing stricter online safety regulations for children. Common measures include age-based restrictions on social media platforms. The UN brief stresses that such limits alone do not fully mitigate the spectrum of digital risks. It underscores the role of online spaces in supporting education, social interaction, and emotional well-being. Youth-led organizations increasingly leverage digital platforms for advocacy, organization, and civic participation, despite facing issues such as harassment, surveillance, and disinformation.
UN promotes AI safety measures as part of comprehensive strategy
The topic of artificial intelligence introduces additional complexities to online safety discussions. During the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in July, UN Secretary-General António Guterres proposed an AI Child Safety Pledge. He emphasized that companies should perform child-specific safety tests and establish independent oversight before deploying AI systems accessible to children. The pledge also advocates for zero tolerance toward AI-produced sexual images involving children, with measures to detect, report, and remove such content from digital systems.
The UN stresses that protecting young people necessitates coordinated efforts among governments, technology firms, advertisers, researchers, educators, and civil society groups. It also advocates for meaningful involvement of children and youth in shaping policies related to 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 organization believes that children and young users should benefit from stronger protections while still having the opportunity to learn, communicate, create, and participate in civic life online.