United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk called for urgent, coordinated action to protect children from digital harms on Friday [1, 2].
The push for stronger oversight comes as minors face increasing exposure to AI-driven manipulation, harmful content, and online gambling advertisements [1, 3].
Speaking at a United Nations Human Rights Council session in Geneva, Turk said that improving the protection of children online is an “urgent priority” [2]. He said the international community must establish greater accountability for social media platforms and other digital services [1, 2].
The UN's call for action highlights a growing concern over how digital environments impact child development and safety. According to reports, the risks include the proliferation of gambling ads targeting minors, and the use of artificial intelligence to manipulate young users [1, 3].
Other figures have joined the call for global intervention. Meghan Markle said the world must act again to safeguard children from digital harm [5].
Turk's address emphasizes that existing safeguards are insufficient to combat the rapid evolution of digital threats. The UN is pushing for a framework where platforms are held responsible for the safety of their youngest users, rather than placing the entire burden of safety on parents and children [1, 2].
“Improving protection of children online is an ‘urgent priority.’”
This initiative signals a shift toward treating digital safety as a fundamental human rights issue rather than a mere policy preference. By calling for coordinated international action, the UN is attempting to create a global standard for platform accountability that could supersede fragmented national regulations, specifically targeting the systemic risks posed by AI and predatory advertising.
