In today’s digital age, child safety in online spaces has become an increasingly serious global concern, with children exposed to risks such as online harassment, predatory abuse and privacy violations due to weak safety mechanisms on social media platforms.
According to the UN Human Rights Office, governments around the world have introduced various measures, including age restrictions and bans for users under 18, but these steps have proven insufficient to fully protect children in digital environments.
The UN body has released new landmark guidelines aimed at strengthening child protection online by addressing harmful and addictive design features embedded in digital platforms.
Titled Getting Children’s Safety Online Right, the report calls for a comprehensive human rights-based approach that shifts greater responsibility and accountability onto technology companies, emphasizing “safety by design” principles.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said in a statement that while the digital world provides children with opportunities for learning, creativity and connection, it also exposes them to significant risks affecting their safety, privacy and well-being.
He noted that platform features such as autoplay, infinite scrolling and persistent notifications are contributing to addictive usage patterns, increasing children’s vulnerability to online harms. Türk also stressed that age bans and verification systems alone are not enough to ensure child safety.
The guidelines outline several key recommendations, including requiring tech companies to reduce addictive design features and regulate child-targeted online marketing.
They also emphasize that children’s rights both online and offline, including access to information, freedom of expression and participation—must be safeguarded in digital policy frameworks.
The UN further recommends “privacy by default” settings for children, restrictions on commercial micro-targeting, and strict limits on data collection governed by high safety standards.
Tech companies are urged to conduct child rights impact assessments as part of broader human rights evaluations, while age verification systems must follow strict privacy protections and ensure transparency in third-party data handling.
The guidelines also suggest age-based restrictions tailored to specific harms, including emerging risks such as AI chatbots, alongside greater inclusion of children’s voices in shaping digital policies.
Additionally, the report calls for improved transparency in platform design and data practices, stronger accountability mechanisms, independent oversight, and legal consequences for violations.
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It further highlights the need for international cooperation and input from independent researchers to address the rapidly evolving challenges of digital spaces and to develop more effective long-term solutions.
