Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing many aspects of our lives, especially how children and young people interact with the digital world. It has the potential to bring a lot of positive changes — access to education and making online spaces safer — but it can also present serious risks — data privacy risks, biased algorithms and online safety threats — which can negatively affect the rights, dignity and future of young people. Imane Lakbachi, DTH-Lab’s focal point to WHO Youth Council, calls for action from all key actors within the digital and AI space to prioritize the best interests of children and youth to create an inclusive digital future.
Understanding the risks
While AI can offer promising avenues for enhancing education, as well as health and well-being, it can present significant risks to children’s and young people’s safety. It is important for stakeholders to understand the risks that AI can pose in order to effectively build a secure and enriching digital environment for the younger generation.
A major concern is how AI can be used to create harmful content. According to the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), there were 245 reports of AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery in 2024, an increase of 380% rise from 2023. AI is also implicated in online grooming and exploitation of children. The Child Rescue Coalition highlights that AI’s ability to create realistic personas can be exploited by predators to gain the trust of young users, leading to potential abuse.
Social media features such as endless scrolling and AI algorithms pose significant threats to mental health of children and adolescents. A study from Oxford University found a direct relationship between time spent on social media and mental health issues, with some teenagers using these platforms for up to eight hours daily. While, TikTok’s ‘For You’ feed has been found to risk pushing children and young people towards harmful mental health content.
Addressing these risks requires a collaborative effort among policymakers, tech industry, teachers and parents to establish ethical guidelines and protective measures in the development, deployment and governance of AI technologies affecting children.
The potential of AI
Despite these challenges and risks, AI holds significant potential to enhance the digital safety and well-being of children and youth. To achieve this it must be thoughtfully designed and used with meaningful safeguards.
A stand out area for AI use is in the education sector. AI platforms can provide virtual tutors, language translation and educational content to children in remote or underserved areas—bridging critical gaps in educational access. For example, platforms like Wordly offer live audio translations and captions in multiple languages, facilitating learning for students in diverse linguistic settings. AI-powered educational tools can also customize learning materials to match each child’s pace, strengths and areas for improvement. These technologies can also offer vital support for children with disabilities, enhancing their learning and communication abilities.
In the health sector, AI health apps can provide young people with reliable, age-appropriate health information, empowering them to make informed decisions about their physical and mental well-being.
AI designed to benefit all
Children and young people are not just passive users of technology—they are digital natives who are increasingly using AI-driven systems in their daily lives, education, health and social interactions. Yet, policies shaping these technologies are often developed without their input.
DTH-Lab’s goal is to ensure that AI and other digital technologies are designed and implemented in ways that truly serve the needs and rights of children and youth.
To do this there needs to be multisectoral collaboration to address digital illiteracy, bridge the digital divide for marginalized and underserved communities and to empower young innovators and entrepreneurs to develop child-friendly AI solutions. Digital strategies must protect and promote children’s rights and promote ethical AI practices. AI developers must strengthen data privacy and security measures to protect children’s trust.
AI is here to stay. Now we need to ensure it is designed and implemented with children’s and young people’s best interests at heart.
This blog draws on a youth statement written and presented for the high-level meeting, Risks and Opportunities of AI for Children: A Common Commitment for Safeguarding Children, co-organized by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the World Childhood Foundation, and the Institute of Anthropology of the Pontifical Gregorian University.
Imane Lakbachi is a human rights advocate with a background in computer science. She is the Director of Network Engagement at IYAFP, and the Founder of Concealed Narratives; a local youth-led initiative using digital advocacy and storytelling to raise awareness around women and girls issues in Morocco.
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Youth Empowerment | SRHR | Digital Advocacy | Human Rights | Sustainable Development
Imane Lakbachi is a human rights advocate with a background in computer science. She is the Director of Network Engagement at IYAFP, and the Founder of Concealed Narratives; a local youth-led initiative using digital advocacy and storytelling to raise awareness around women and girls issues in Morocco. Imane is also a Youth Reference Committee Member at the African Union, one of the Co-chairs of the Digital Experience Sub-Committee at PMNCH, a CEE Fellow at IREX, a Generation Democracy Member at IRI, a Women Deliver Young Leaders Program and Fora’s Global Summit Alumna and a Diana Award Winner 2022. Imane is incredibly passionate about sustainable development and is working with international NGOs, civil society organizations, and foundations on meaningful adolescent and youth engagement.
