UN urges safer online platforms over social media bans for kids
The United Nations human rights office has cautioned that banning children from social media is not an adequate substitute for making online platforms safer. The agency introduced a 10-point framework urging governments and technology companies to prioritize children's safety in digital spaces. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, emphasized that online risks for children are largely due to platform design choices. The guidelines call for proactive measures from both governments and tech companies to better protect young users.
What we know
- The UN human rights office released a 10-point framework urging stronger protections for children online.
- Volker Türk stated that online harms to children often result from business practices and design choices, not unavoidable aspects of digital life.
- The guidelines recommend safety-by-design, mandatory child rights impact assessments, and regulated age-verification systems.
- Peggy Hicks highlighted that technology companies must redesign platforms for safety or face stricter regulations.
- The UN warns that age-based bans alone may push children to riskier, less monitored spaces and do not address core platform safety issues.
