News Desk Reporter
Children are facing growing risks online as social media, online gaming and artificial intelligence become a bigger part of their daily lives.
The growing influence of digital technology has prompted renewed calls for stronger safeguards to protect children’s health and wellbeing.
In a joint statement released on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron and World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said digital technology offers significant benefits for children.
These include improved access to education, healthcare and social connections. However, they warned that poorly regulated online environments could have serious consequences for young people’s physical and mental health.
“Our task is not to celebrate or condemn technology,” the statement said. “Our responsibility is to maximise the first while preventing the second.”
Macron and Tedros said governments were increasingly recognising online child safety as a public health priority. They pointed to measures introduced or proposed in countries including Australia, France, Indonesia, Spain, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Canada.
These include restrictions on children’s access to social media and stronger online safety measures.
The statement said digital platforms are not neutral. It said the way they are designed, governed and monetised has a direct impact on children’s health and wellbeing.
They warned that repeated exposure to harmful content, misinformation and targeted advertising could negatively affect children’s development. They also raised concerns about privacy, online manipulation and the collection of children’s personal data.
According to the statement, research links excessive digital exposure to anxiety, depression, poor sleep, aggression and other mental health challenges. Vulnerable children and adolescents are particularly at risk.
The pair also highlighted the growing threat of online sexual exploitation, AI-generated abuse images and deepfake content involving children.
“Commercial practices increase all these risks,” the statement said. It added that many online platforms are designed to maximise user engagement. They often do so without providing adequate protections for children.
Macron and Tedros said governments, technology companies, schools, parents and communities all have a role to play in creating safer digital environments.
They also called for greater transparency and stronger safety standards. The pair said more independent research is needed into the long-term impact of emerging technologies such as generative AI.
“Our children and young people are not experimental subjects, a captive market, or a commodity,” the statement said. “Together, we can and must shape digital environments that protect and support their healthy development. The choices we make now will echo for generations.”
Maria, a mother of three boys, said she closely monitors the digital platforms her children use. All her children are under the age of 15.
“I wish every parent could do that. It’s risky to just leave a child to visit any site,” she said.
Her husband, Robert, said they have spoken openly with their children about online risks.
“We have spoken to the boys, and they are aware of the abuse online. We are also very strict when it comes to the time they spend online,” Robert said.
Another parent, Ayesha, said she and her husband also monitor the online platforms their two children use.
“I get scared by the amount of fake videos with violence on some platforms. Imagine if my kids had to see that. This is the reason we check on them. To see who they play games with and what platforms they are on. It is good for their own mental health,” Ayesha said.