Global leaders have called for a safer digital environment for children and young people, urging technology companies to strengthen protections against harmful and age-inappropriate online content.
In a statement issued during the G7 summit on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, the leaders said they were committed to ensuring that digital spaces are safer for minors, defined as individuals under the age of 18.
They raised concerns about the risks associated with digital platforms, including exposure to illegal or harmful content that could negatively affect the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents.
The leaders recommended that recommendation systems be designed to prioritise age-appropriate content while reducing exposure to harmful material. They also called for digital services to incorporate “safety-by-design” approaches, including default protective settings and tools that give parents and minors greater control over their online experience and personal data.
Digital service providers, they said, have a responsibility to ensure that platforms are “safe by design, secure, privacy-preserving and age-appropriate,” including by enabling protective default settings for younger users.
The statement also highlighted growing concerns around the impact of artificial intelligence-generated content. Leaders noted ongoing efforts to help children distinguish between content created by humans and that generated or altered using AI systems, stressing the importance of building critical digital literacy skills.
They further reiterated their commitment to tackling online harms affecting children, including violent extremist content and online sexual exploitation and harassment. They called for stronger safeguards on digital platforms and improved cooperation with law enforcement agencies where necessary.
Finally, the leaders emphasised the importance of international cooperation and cross-sector collaboration involving educators, researchers, and technology companies. They said this cooperation is essential to better understand both the opportunities and risks posed by emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, for younger users.
“We are committed to fostering a research and scientific ecosystem capable of studying those benefits and challenges,” the statement added.
– By Daisy Achieng
