Sonia Livingstone, a leading expert on children’s rights in digital environments, has been selected as part of a United Nations scientific panel examining the global impact of artificial intelligence. With children making up a significant share of internet users worldwide, her work focuses on ensuring that their rights and experiences are considered as AI rapidly transforms digital spaces.
Artificial intelligence has quickly become embedded in everyday technologies, including search engines, social media, messaging platforms, and digital assistants. As a result, children are increasingly exposed to AI through their own devices as well as through interactions at home and in school. Many are actively engaging with generative AI tools for tasks such as learning, creativity, and daily decision-making, reflecting both curiosity and growing dependence on these systems.
While AI offers potential benefits, including improved accessibility and support for learning, its rapid expansion means that its long-term effects on children remain unclear. Concerns persist about possible impacts on mental health, development, and understanding of human relationships, especially as children interact with AI systems that simulate human-like responses. At the same time, there is no clear evidence yet linking AI use to declines in critical thinking, though children are becoming more cautious and aware of digital risks.
Significant risks are already emerging, particularly in the area of online safety. AI is being used in harmful ways, including the creation of exploitative content and manipulation through deepfake technologies. There are also concerns about how children’s data is collected and used by AI systems without adequate safeguards or consent. Furthermore, many AI tools are not designed with children in mind, raising questions about whether their needs and rights are being adequately protected.
The United Nations panel aims to address these challenges through global collaboration and evidence-based recommendations. Livingstone emphasizes the importance of including children’s voices in shaping policies and ensuring that AI development aligns with human rights principles. The initiative seeks to foster a balanced global dialogue that considers diverse perspectives and avoids purely profit-driven approaches to innovation.
For parents, navigating this evolving landscape can be difficult, as many feel unprepared to understand or monitor AI use. Current guidance highlights caution, especially for very young children, and stresses the importance of limiting screen time and encouraging other forms of development. In the absence of clear tools or frameworks, open communication between parents and children remains one of the most effective ways to manage risks and support safe engagement with technology.
