Kathmandu. The United Nations has clarified that ensuring the safety of children in the online world is now an immediate and indispensable priority. Expressing concern over the growing risks on digital platforms, the organization has urged states and technology companies to take strict action to hold responsible parties accountable.
Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that while digital technology connects children with learning, community, and creative opportunities, they are increasingly exposed to serious safety, privacy, and welfare risks through the same medium.
According to him, online harm is not a natural or inevitable condition, but rather a consequence of the design and business practices adopted by technology companies. He stated that addictive designs such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and continuous notifications put children at even greater risk.
Türk mentioned that ensuring children’s safety in the online space is not just a policy but an immediate primary responsibility that needs to be implemented.
He emphasized the need to make platforms child-friendly through effective regulation, oversight, and legal accountability. He also warned that relying solely on age restrictions is not enough. Such measures do not address the root problems in design and algorithms.
According to him, platforms with weak security are likely to push children towards more risky digital environments, so measures to block access to such platforms cannot be the only solution.
Guidelines prepared by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights state that children’s data must be maximally protected, and ‘micro-targeting’ based on their digital activities for commercial purposes must be completely stopped.
Similarly, it has been suggested that specific age restrictions may be necessary for artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots and addictive design features.
The guidelines emphasize the need for independent monitoring systems, accountability with legal consequences, and ensuring children’s access to judicial remedies in case of rights violations.
Türk clarified that measures like incorrectly implemented age verification can pose a threat to the privacy of both children and adults, and therefore, special caution is necessary to avoid unintended harm when formulating policies.
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