As digital technology becomes more woven into the fabric of our daily lives, it has reshaped how children learn, connect, and express themselves. This evolution has opened up new horizons for creativity, education, and advocacy. But it has also exposed children to unprecedented risks, including online exploitation, misinformation, and breaches of privacy.
Recent data is alarming: one in eight children globally – approximately 302 million – have been victims of the non-consensual sharing, exposure, or creation of sexual images and videos within the past year alone. This underscores the urgency for a collective response to safeguard children in the digital age.
Digital Rights are Children’s Rights
During our recent Regional Children’s Meeting, 35 young delegates from 16 countries across Asia spoke passionately about how digitalization, including generative AI, has reshaped their lives. They shared how AI supports their education—helping them code, spark essay ideas, and create study plans. AI also empowers their advocacy efforts by enabling content creation, translation, and message verification. Beyond academics, AI sparks creativity and leisure as children generate digital content, communicate in fun ways with friends and family, and even plan travel adventures.
However, these digital opportunities come with risks. Children voiced concerns about misinformation, cyberbullying, and privacy breaches. They highlighted the emerging threats of deepfakes and AI-generated content, particularly during elections, and expressed fears about the digital divide excluding poor and disabled children from accessing new technologies.
Empowering Families and Educators
Parents and educators play a pivotal role in guiding children through the digital landscape. Conversations about online safety should start early and be as routine as talks about crossing the street safely. Children need to learn how to protect their personal information, identify harmful content, and navigate the online world respectfully and responsibly.
Our discussions with children also revealed their concerns about sharenting—the practice of parents sharing information about their children online. While it can be a way to connect and document childhood milestones, children raised questions about privacy and consent. Kid influencers, or “kidfluencers,” present a similar duality: while offering opportunities for entrepreneurship and self-expression, they also pose risks related to exploitation and mental health.
Children as Co-Creators of Solutions
That is why the voices of children must be at the heart of efforts to create a safer internet. Too often, policies are designed without consulting those most affected by them. When we listen to children and involve them in co-creating solutions, interventions become more relevant and effective.
Children want transparency from tech companies about data use, stronger content moderation, and accessible reporting mechanisms in diverse languages. They are also increasingly aware of the environmental impact of AI and call for accountability from companies regarding energy consumption.
Together for a Better Internet
Building a safer digital world is a shared responsibility. Governments, tech companies, civil society, educators, parents, and children themselves all have a role to play. Internet governance must recognize the interconnectedness of online and offline realities, promoting human rights education and culturally sensitive digital literacy interventions.
As we reflect on the challenges and opportunities of our digital world, let us commit to making it a safer space for every child. And it starts with all of us—educating ourselves, amplifying children’s voices, and advocating for policies that prioritize their rights and safety.
Together, indeed, for a better, safer digital environment – for and with children.