Children's digital lives need stronger safeguards, say French President and WHO chief

The conversation about children's health is no longer limited to nutrition, vaccination or physical activity
Children today are growing up in a world where smartphones, social media, online gaming and artificial intelligence have become an integral part of everyday life. While these technologies are transforming education, communication and healthcare, global leaders are warning that the digital environment itself has become a powerful factor influencing children's health and development.

In a joint commentary published this week, French President Emmanuel Macron and World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus argue that the world has reached a critical moment where protecting children online must become a public health priority rather than simply a technology debate.

Their message is clear: digital technology offers enormous opportunities, but without stronger safeguards it can also expose children to serious and long-lasting health risks.

Technology is transforming childhood—for better and for worse

The authors acknowledge that digital tools have revolutionised access to education, healthcare information and communication. For many children, particularly those living in remote, conflict-affected or underserved communities, digital platforms have opened doors that were previously unimaginable.

Online environments can also foster creativity, learning, inclusion and social connection, especially for children who may feel isolated in their offline lives.

However, Macron and Dr Tedros emphasise that these benefits are not automatic. They depend largely on how digital platforms are designed, governed and regulated—and whether children's wellbeing is placed ahead of commercial interests.

Why health experts are becoming increasingly concerned

The commentary highlights growing scientific evidence linking excessive or unhealthy digital exposure with a range of physical and mental health concerns, particularly among vulnerable children and adolescents.

Research has associated problematic digital use with:
• Anxiety and depression
• Poor sleep quality
• Increased sedentary behaviour
• Reduced physical activity
• Loneliness and social isolation
• Increased aggression in some young people
• Greater vulnerability to self-harm and suicidal behaviour in severe cases

The authors stress that these associations do not mean technology itself is inherently harmful. Instead, risks often arise from prolonged exposure, platform design, inadequate safeguards and excessive engagement.

One of their strongest messages is that children's health depends not only on limiting harmful content but also on preserving healthy routines, family interaction, physical activity and meaningful real-world relationships.

Harmful content is only part of the challenge

The article argues that today's digital environment presents broader risks than many parents may realise.

Children may encounter misinformation, violent or sexually explicit material, discriminatory content and manipulative algorithms designed to maximise engagement rather than accuracy or wellbeing.

The authors also warn about targeted advertising of unhealthy products, including tobacco, alcohol and gambling-related content, alongside increasing concerns surrounding online sexual exploitation, AI-generated abuse material, deepfake imagery and cyberbullying.

These issues, they argue, can have lasting consequences for children's mental health, trust and emotional development.

Governments around the world are beginning to respond

According to the commentary, several countries have already started strengthening protections for children online.

Australia has introduced legislation requiring social media companies to prevent children under 16 from holding accounts, while France is advancing similar measures for children under 15.

Indonesia has also implemented restrictions for children under 16, while Spain, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Canada are pursuing various approaches that include age verification, stronger platform accountability and safety-by-design requirements.

Together, these initiatives reflect what the authors describe as a growing international consensus that digital environments should be designed with children's health and safety at their core.

Artificial intelligence brings both promise and uncertainty

The article also examines the rapidly expanding role of generative artificial intelligence.

Macron and Dr Tedros recognise AI's enormous potential to improve education, accessibility and healthcare when used responsibly.

At the same time, they caution that researchers still know relatively little about AI's long-term effects on children's emotional development, empathy, relationships and self-regulation.

Until stronger evidence becomes available, they argue that adopting precautionary safeguards should be viewed not as opposition to innovation but as a commitment to protecting children during a period of rapid technological change.

Parents remain central to children's digital wellbeing

Although governments and technology companies have important responsibilities, the authors emphasise that families continue to play a vital role in helping children develop healthy digital habits.

Experts generally recommend creating regular screen-free times, particularly during meals and before bedtime, encouraging outdoor play and face-to-face social interaction, maintaining open conversations about online experiences, using age-appropriate privacy settings and focusing on the quality—not merely the quantity—of screen time.

Digital balance, they argue, should become a normal part of healthy childhood development.

Why this matters beyond technology

The commentary concludes with a broader message that extends far beyond smartphones and social media.

Children, the authors write, should never become experimental subjects, commercial commodities or captive audiences in digital ecosystems designed primarily to maximise engagement.

Instead, governments, technology companies, educators, healthcare professionals, parents and young people themselves must work together to create digital environments that support healthy development while reducing avoidable harm.

As digital technologies continue to evolve at unprecedented speed, the decisions made today could influence not only children's online experiences but also their physical health, mental wellbeing and social development for decades to come.

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