New guidance released on Friday by the UN human rights office said blocking children from social media would not be a sufficient response to growing risks in digital spaces. The guidance called instead for structural changes in the way platforms are designed and operated.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said many online harms, including privacy violations and mental health risks, stemmed from deliberate commercial design choices. Türk said features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay and constant notifications were created to maximise engagement rather than protect users.
The warning comes as countries around the world tighten restrictions on children’s access to social media. Australia has already banned under-16s from major platforms, while Indonesia and Malaysia have introduced similar measures. Several African governments are also considering comparable steps as concern grows over online safety.
The UN said bans could be easily bypassed and could push children towards less regulated parts of the internet, increasing risks rather than reducing harm.
In a 10-point framework titled Getting Children’s Safety Online Right, the UN called on regulators to ensure safety is built into digital platforms from the outset instead of leaving parents and children to manage risks alone.
The recommendations include mandatory child rights impact assessments, stronger protection for children’s personal data, and strict safeguards around age-verification systems to prevent privacy abuse.
The guidance also said children should be consulted directly when laws and policies affecting online life are developed, recognising children’s right to participate in decisions shaping digital experiences.
UN officials said the expansion of artificial intelligence, chatbots and personalised content was accelerating risks, making a rapid policy response necessary. UN officials also said regulations must adapt as new evidence emerges.
For African countries, where internet access is expanding quickly, and youthful populations make up a significant share of society, the UN said the stakes were high. The UN said stronger platform accountability, better data protection and improved digital literacy would be central to protecting children’s rights.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
