Children’s rights

Pew survey finds majority support social media ban for under-16s

A Pew Research Center survey has found that 56% of US adults support banning children under 16 from using social media sites.

The survey, conducted from 26 May to 1 June 2026 among 9,750 US adults, found that 21% oppose such a ban, while 23% are unsure.

Pew said the findings come as governments around the world weigh stronger restrictions on teenagers’ use of social media.

Support for an under-16 ban extends across major demographic and partisan groups. Pew found that 65% of parents with a child under 18 support the measure, compared with 52% of adults without a child under 18.

Support is also higher than opposition among both Republicans and Democrats. Pew reported that 59% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents support the ban, compared with 54% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning adults.

The survey also found broad support for other measures aimed at minors’ social media use. Around 85% of US adults support requiring parental consent for minors to create social media accounts, while 78% support age verification and 78% support time limits for minors.

Support for these measures has increased since 2023, according to Pew, especially for age verification and time limits.

Why does it matter?

The findings suggest that child online safety restrictions are gaining wider public support in the United States, including across party lines and among adults without children. That could give lawmakers more political space to propose age verification, parental consent and time-limit rules. The survey also shows that support is not limited to outright bans: many Americans favour a broader set of safeguards that would change how platforms verify age and manage minors’ access.

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EU examines harmful design features in online platforms

The second annual report on systemic risks under the Digital Services Act has highlighted online risks faced by children and young people on very large online platforms and search engines.

The report was published by the Board for Digital Services and developed in cooperation with the European Commission. It provides an overview of recurrent systemic risks in the EU for very large online platforms and search engines.

Risks identified in the report include the spread of illegal content, cyberbullying, grooming and exposure to harmful material such as dangerous viral challenges and adult content.

The report also points to the role of platform design. Interface features and recommender systems can contribute to addiction-like behaviour, increase exposure to harmful content and intensify harmful interactions between users.

Platforms have introduced mitigation measures, including targeted protection tools, content moderation systems and user empowerment features.

The Commission said the report reinforces the role of the DSA as a transparency and accountability tool for understanding how online platforms function and shape risks in society.

The findings will support regulators, civil society, and platforms as the EU continues to monitor DSA implementation and efforts to create a safer online environment for minors.

Why does it matter?

The report shows that the EU platform regulation is moving beyond illegal-content takedown towards a broader assessment of systemic risks created by platform design. For children and young people, recommender systems, interface choices and engagement-driven features can shape exposure to harmful content and unsafe interactions at scale. The DSA reporting process, therefore, provides regulators and civil society with a clearer evidence base for assessing whether very large platforms are doing enough to protect minors.

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India and Japan expand strategic AI partnership

India and Japan have agreed to deepen cooperation on AI, linking AI governance, cybersecurity, infrastructure, research and talent development.

In a joint statement, the two countries described AI as a transformative technology with long-term implications for innovation, economic security, governance and the international order.

Both sides are committed to building a safe, secure, trustworthy, inclusive and human-centric AI ecosystem. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific and the Global South.

The statement identifies international AI governance, safety and cybersecurity as priority areas. India and Japan said they would coordinate in forums including the G20, OECD, Global Partnership on AI and the UN, while supporting responsible innovation and risk-based governance.

The two countries also agreed to cooperate on AI-enabled cybersecurity and the security of AI systems, with particular attention to critical infrastructure. They highlighted the need for safeguards to ensure AI supports children’s learning and growth rather than causing harm.

AI infrastructure is another focus. India and Japan will strengthen cooperation on data centres, GPU and other compute resources, semiconductors and trustworthy supply chains across the AI technology stack.

The statement also supports collaboration on multilingual, open-source and domain-specific AI models, including models for native languages and public-interest applications. Several memoranda were signed, including partnerships involving IIT Bombay, BharatGen, Japan’s National Institute of Informatics, Sarvam, Preferred Networks, IndiaAI and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Both sides also committed to researcher exchanges, industry-academia collaboration and talent mobility. Japan reaffirmed its goal of welcoming 500 highly skilled AI professionals from India by 2030.

Why does it matter?

The joint statement shows how AI cooperation is becoming part of broader economic and security strategies in the Indo-Pacific. India and Japan are not only discussing AI governance, but also the infrastructure and supply chains needed to build and deploy AI systems, including compute, semiconductors, data centres and talent. The focus on multilingual and open-source models also matters for countries seeking AI systems that reflect local languages, public-interest needs and Global South priorities.

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Europol Roblox game wins EU award for online child safety

Europol’s Cyber Defenders initiative has won the 2026 European Ombudsman Award for Good Administration.

The free educational game, built on Roblox, is designed to help children recognise online risks and develop safer behaviour in digital environments.

Cyber Defenders received the overall award, selected from 48 nominations submitted by the EU institutions, bodies and agencies. It also won the Excellence in Technological Innovation and the Use of AI category award.

The game teaches children about risks such as fraud, identity theft and online grooming through interactive missions rather than traditional awareness campaigns.

Europol says the project was developed to reach children in online gaming environments they already use, while making them more comfortable asking for help when they encounter risks.

The agency has also published supporting resources for teachers, parents and schools, including a game guide, lesson assessment, poster and letter to parents.

The award follows earlier recognition of Europol digital initiatives, including Trace An Object, which uses public participation to help identify victims of child sexual abuse.

Why does it matter?

Cyber Defenders shows how law enforcement agencies are experimenting with interactive tools to improve children’s digital safety skills. Game-based learning can make online safety more relevant for younger users, especially in gaming environments where risks such as grooming, scams and identity theft may appear. The award also reflects broader recognition that digital literacy and prevention are part of child online safety, alongside regulation, enforcement and platform accountability.

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IWF warns under-16 social media ban is not enough to stop online abuse

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has welcomed the UK government’s decision to restrict social media access for under-16s but argues that the measure alone will not significantly reduce online child sexual exploitation and abuse.

In a new blog, IWF Chief Executive Kerry Smith describes the proposed ban as a major policy milestone while warning that it must be accompanied by broader reforms if it is to deliver lasting improvements in children’s online safety.

According to the IWF, children continue to face a rapidly evolving range of online threats, including grooming, financial sextortion, commercial child sexual abuse and the growing exploitation of young people across digital platforms.

While limiting access to social media may reduce exposure to some risks, the organisation argues that determined offenders will continue to exploit encrypted messaging services, gaming platforms and other online environments if wider safeguards are not introduced.

The charity therefore calls for a more comprehensive regulatory approach centred on safety by design. Its recommendations include stronger safeguards for end-to-end encrypted services, tougher enforcement of the UK’s Online Safety Act, greater accountability for technology companies, and platform design that prevents harmful products and features from reaching users before risks are identified.

The IWF also highlights the need to regulate emerging technologies such as AI chatbots and strengthen device-level protections for children.

Why does it matter?

The IWF’s position reflects a growing international consensus that age restrictions alone cannot address the complex ecosystem of online child exploitation. As abuse increasingly migrates across encrypted services, gaming platforms and AI-powered technologies, policymakers are being encouraged to adopt broader regulatory frameworks that target platform design as well as user access.

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US House of Representatives passes Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act

The US House of Representatives has passed the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act in a bipartisan 267-117 vote, advancing a broad package that combines 14 online child safety proposals into a single piece of legislation.

The legislation includes provisions requiring AI chatbots to remind users they are not human, provide mental health resources, encourage regular breaks and avoid promoting potentially harmful topics. Lawmakers also removed the original Kids Online Safety Act’s proposed ‘duty of care’ provision after concerns it could lead to censorship, a decision criticised by several senators who co-authored the earlier bill.

Critics, including digital rights organisations and several lawmakers, argue the legislation weakens existing protections and does not go far enough in holding technology companies accountable. The Electronic Frontier Foundation warned that compliance could encourage widespread age verification, potentially requiring users to submit personal information and raising concerns about privacy and freedom of expression.

Supporters reject those criticisms, arguing that the bill does not explicitly require age verification but instead strengthens safeguards for minors and expands parental controls. The legislation now moves to the Senate, where it is expected to face further scrutiny.

Why does it matter?

The legislation represents one of the most comprehensive federal efforts to strengthen online child safety in the United States. Its inclusion of AI chatbot requirements reflects growing recognition that conversational AI introduces new risks for younger users that existing online safety frameworks were not designed to address.

At the same time, the bill highlights the continuing challenge of balancing child protection with privacy and freedom of expression. As it moves to the Senate, debate is likely to focus on whether stronger platform accountability can be achieved without expanding age verification requirements or creating incentives for broader online censorship.

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France and WHO call for stronger safeguards for children online

French President Emmanuel Macron and World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus have called for stronger governance of digital environments to protect children’s health and well-being.

In a joint statement, they argued that social media, gaming platforms, AI and other digital services are increasingly shaping children’s physical, mental and social development.

The authors said digital technologies can support education, healthcare access, creativity and social inclusion, especially for children in remote or disadvantaged communities. However, they argued that these benefits depend on how digital services are designed, regulated and governed.

The statement warns that excessive or poorly governed digital exposure can be linked to anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, sedentary behaviour, online exploitation, harmful content and misinformation amplified by recommendation systems.

Macron and Tedros also describe generative AI as a force multiplier for both opportunity and risk. They said AI could support education, accessibility and healthcare, but warned that its long-term effects on children’s emotional development, relationships and well-being remain uncertain.

The authors pointed to growing international momentum behind child online safety measures, including age restrictions, stronger age assurance and safety-by-design standards.

They called on governments, technology companies, researchers, educators and civil society to build healthier digital ecosystems through regulation, transparency, independent research and stronger safeguards for children.

Why does it matter?

The intervention places child online safety within the language of public health. That broadens the debate beyond content moderation and screen-time advice to include platform design, recommendation systems, business models, AI deployment and digital governance. It also reflects growing international pressure for age-appropriate design, stronger age assurance and safety-by-design rules, while leaving open difficult questions about privacy, enforcement and children’s access to beneficial digital services.

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UNICEF warns millions of children rely on AI for advice and learning

Millions of children worldwide are already using AI for learning, problem-solving and personal guidance, according to UNICEF, which warns that safeguards are not keeping pace with adoption. Data collected across 10 countries suggests that at least 20 million children have used AI tools, with adoption rates significantly higher than among adults.

UNICEF estimates that around 13 million children use AI to support schoolwork, while approximately two million turn to it for advice on personal concerns. The organisation warns that AI is becoming embedded in children’s lives faster than safeguards and oversight mechanisms are being developed.

Young users also reported concerns about misinformation, scams and AI-generated deepfakes. UNICEF is calling on governments and technology companies to strengthen regulation, improve digital literacy and ensure AI systems are designed with children’s rights and safety in mind.

Why does it matter? 

The findings suggest that AI is already becoming part of children’s everyday lives, influencing how they learn, seek information and even look for personal support. As adoption accelerates, the gap between technological use and effective safeguards could expose young users to misinformation, manipulation, privacy risks and other online harms.

The report also highlights the growing importance of child-centred AI governance. Decisions made now on regulation, digital literacy and safety-by-design are likely to shape how future generations interact with AI, making children’s rights an increasingly important consideration in global AI policy.

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UNICEF urges child-focused AI governance

UNICEF has called for child rights to be placed at the centre of AI governance, warning that children are adopting AI technologies faster than adults while safeguards struggle to keep pace. Ahead of the first Global Dialogue on AI Governance, UNICEF said AI is already reshaping childhood worldwide, creating significant opportunities alongside new risks.

Based on data from 10 countries, UNICEF estimates that at least 20 million children have used AI, with adoption rates in many cases more than three times higher than among adults.

More than 2 million children, or one in 10, said they use AI for advice on things that worry them. An estimated 13 million children reported using AI to support learning and homework.

UNICEF warned that governance frameworks, including safeguards for children, are failing to keep pace with rapid AI adoption. The organisation said children are more exposed to AI systems, business models and data practices, while having less power to avoid or challenge them.

UNICEF said most AI governance frameworks do not adequately prioritise children’s interests, despite young people being among those most likely to experience the long-term consequences of today’s policy decisions. While AI can support learning, creativity and play, evidence on its effects on cognitive development, emotional well-being and exposure to harm is still emerging.

The organisation also highlighted children’s own concerns. Across the 10 countries surveyed, one-third worried about AI being used for scams or misinformation, while one-quarter feared their images or videos could be manipulated into sexually explicit deepfakes. UNICEF warned that too many AI systems are reaching children without adequate safeguards.

UNICEF called on governments, the private sector and partners to embed child rights in global AI governance, with a particular focus on safety and protection.

The organisation urged investment in research on AI’s impact on children’s development and wellbeing, stronger laws and corporate accountability to stop AI-enabled sexual exploitation and abuse, and AI systems designed with maximum safety and transparency.

UNICEF called on governments and technology companies to embed children’s rights into AI governance through stronger legal protections, corporate accountability and safety-by-design. It also urged greater investment in research, AI literacy for children and caregivers, and digital infrastructure to reduce inequalities in access. According to UNICEF, decisions made today will shape children’s safety, privacy, wellbeing and opportunities for decades to come.

Why does it matter?

Children are becoming some of the earliest and most frequent users of AI, yet governance frameworks, research and safety measures remain underdeveloped. As AI increasingly influences how children learn, communicate and seek information, gaps in protection could expose them to misinformation, exploitation, privacy risks and harmful content during critical stages of development.

The report also reinforces a broader shift in AI governance towards rights-based policymaking. By arguing that children’s interests should be considered from the design stage through deployment and regulation, UNICEF is framing child protection not as a niche issue but as a core principle for trustworthy AI.

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UK ATOC says social media ban is not enough

The UK Alliance Tackling Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse has welcomed the UK government’s plan to ban social media use by children under 16, while warning that the measure alone will not stop online child sexual abuse.

The alliance said age restrictions on mainstream social media platforms could reduce some risks. Still, children may move to less regulated digital spaces, including encrypted messaging services, gaming platforms and other online environments where grooming, sexual extortion and abuse can continue.

UK ATOC called for a broader, system-wide response focused on prevention, stronger platform accountability and safer-by-design digital services. It said governments, regulators, technology companies and online service providers share responsibility for reducing opportunities for abuse before harm occurs.

The alliance proposed a package of technical, legislative and regulatory measures. These include stronger safeguards in end-to-end encrypted environments, robust age-assurance systems, mandatory safer-by-design principles, stronger enforcement under the Online Safety Act and clearer regulation of AI chatbots and companion services.

It also called for device-level nudity detection, upload prevention for known child sexual abuse material and measures to address livestreamed abuse, grooming and sexual extortion.

UK ATOC welcomed the government’s plan to introduce nudity-detection tools on children’s devices, describing it as an important additional safeguard.

The statement reflects a wider concern that age bans may reduce children’s exposure to some mainstream platforms, but cannot replace a comprehensive child-safety framework across the broader digital ecosystem.

Why does it matter?

The UK debate shows the limits of age-based social media bans as a child-safety tool. Online child sexual exploitation and abuse can move across platforms, devices, encrypted services, gaming environments and AI-enabled systems. UK ATOC’s response therefore shifts the focus from access restrictions alone towards prevention, safer design, platform duties and technical safeguards that address how abuse actually happens across digital services.

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