United Nations warns of growing risks targeting youth in the digital environment
New York, August 10 (KUNA) -- The United Nations warned on Monday of growing risks facing young people in the digital environment, including misinformation, harassment, algorithmic biases, and the malicious use of artificial intelligence. In a briefing note released ahead of International Youth Day, the UN called on member states, technology companies, advertisers, media outlets, and researchers to prioritize the protection of children and young people and to involve them in developing solutions to address harms linked to information safety.
It explained that the harms young people face online are tied to business models that profit from exploiting users’ attention and personal data, alongside design choices aimed at boosting engagement and spending. The UN system warned against algorithms that encourage continuous use and so-called “dark patterns,” among other tactics that may drive compulsive use, noting that children and young people are particularly vulnerable to such practices.
It highlighted that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence is outpacing efforts to manage its risks, including AI-generated content and forms of exploitation facilitated by this technology. The note pointed out that children and young people are not merely a risk-prone group; they are increasingly playing a role in the digital space as content creators, advocates for their causes, organizers, and young journalists participating in public discourse.
It stressed the need to involve young people in research and policy-making processes that lead to solutions for issues related to information safety. It added that governments and child rights advocates have begun placing online child safety at the forefront of policy debates, including addictive design features, behavioral advertising, content moderation, and privacy protection.
Last month, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a pledge on child safety in artificial intelligence, warning against exposing children to risks from unregulated technologies. During the first global dialogue on AI governance, Guterres affirmed that “no child should be a testbed for unregulated AI.” (End) A.S.T. / A.S.
