Children are spending more time in the digital world than ever before, often without realizing it. From smart toys and voice assistants to video games, chatbots and learning apps, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming part of their everyday lives.
Unseen but powerful, AI systems shape children’s digital interactions and choices, suggesting videos to watch, articles to read, music to play and even people to connect with. But the rise of AI-driven technology brings serious risks, especially as changes in digital platforms outpace the safeguards and regulations needed to protect young users.
Most alarming is the threat of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse. It has never been easier for perpetrators to contact and extort children. Online perpetrators may be someone a child knows or a stranger. They often attempt to earn the child’s trust (or the trust of a caregiver) before manipulating victims into sharing sexually explicit videos or images. In some cases, sexual abuse is livestreamed: From the confines of their homes, perpetrators can direct the abuse of children far away.
Other forms of abuse, like peer-to-peer violence and cyberbullying, can thrive online. This, along with the rise of online hate and discrimination, contributes to the growing risk of self-harm and suicidal thoughts among children growing up in the digital era.
What other risks do children face online?
Children can also be exposed to misleading or manipulative commercial practices. Personal data monetization and misuse, exploitative digital marketing and dark patterns – in which online platforms design interfaces that trap users into doing things they didn’t mean to – all pose risks to a child’s right to protection.
Digital child labour – such as influencer work or participation in eSports – is receiving growing attention, with the potential to result in economic exploitation.
And digital platforms are even being used to recruit children into armed conflict.
How can I keep my child safe online?
