Kosmos Zavazava, Director of the Bureau for Development of Telecommunications at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), noted that children face numerous threats, including grooming, deepfakes, cyberbullying, and access to unacceptable content, which leads to serious consequences.
He also added that during the COVID-19 pandemic, many children, especially girls, became victims of online violence, often resulting in physical harm.
Organizations focused on child protection warn that malefactors can use AI to analyze children's online behavior, emotional states, and interests, enabling them to manipulate and engage children more effectively. Additionally, AI can also be used to create fake images of children, opening new avenues for sexualized extortion.
The Need for Educational Initiatives on AI
At the beginning of 2026, a number of UN organizations working in the field of child protection signed a Joint Statement discussing artificial intelligence and children's rights. The document emphasizes that society is not prepared for the challenges associated with AI and that there are serious risks.The statement highlights the lack of awareness about AI among children, parents, teachers, and caregivers, as well as the lack of necessary training for government bodies to regulate AI, protect data, and assess the impact of technologies on children's rights.
Responsibility of Technology Companies
Significant attention is given to the role of large technology companies. The statement emphasizes that most AI tools are developed without considering the interests and safety of children. "We are concerned about this situation, and we strive for the private sector to become an active participant and helper in addressing these issues," Zavazava noted.He also expressed confidence that companies can make their products safer: "At first, we thought they were afraid to limit innovation, but our message is clear: responsibly used AI can be profitable and maintain competitiveness."
"The private sector is our partner, and we must warn when we see that technologies can cause negative consequences," added the ITU representative.
Children's Rights in the Digital Age
This is not the first initiative aimed at drawing attention to risks from a human rights perspective: in 2021, new provisions reflecting the challenges of the digital age were added to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Nevertheless, the UN believes that countries need more practical recommendations for effective regulation, and in this regard, an extensive list of recommendations has been prepared. "Children are starting to go online at a very young age, and they need to be protected," emphasized Zavazava. "Therefore, we have developed recommendations for ensuring children's safety online, addressed to parents, teachers, regulators, and the private sector."Key Recommendations
- States need to strengthen AI regulation mechanisms to protect children's rights.
- International organizations should consider children's rights in all AI-related initiatives.
- Governments and companies should ensure transparency and safety of AI systems.
- States should prevent and combat violence and exploitation of children related to AI.
- Reliable data protection mechanisms focused on children are necessary.
- Decisions made using AI should consider the interests and development of each child.
- AI should be inclusive and free from bias so that all children can benefit equally from technologies.
- Children's experiences and opinions should be taken into account when developing AI policies and systems.
- The development of AI should promote sustainable development and minimize long-term harm to future generations.
