G7 Digital Ministers have agreed a shared set of principles aimed at protecting children and young people from online harm, including risks linked to AI and digital platforms.
G7 Digital Ministers have agreed a common approach to protecting children and young people online, marking the first time the group has established shared principles on digital child safety.
The agreement, reached during talks in Paris, focuses on addressing growing online risks including harmful content, exploitation and emerging threats associated with AI-powered services. The framework calls for greater digital literacy, stronger online safety measures and more effective age assurance mechanisms.
Under the agreement, G7 countries said children’s safety should be considered from the earliest stages of designing digital services rather than being treated as an afterthought. The principles also encourage closer co-operation between technology providers, children, parents and guardians.
The ministers further agreed that data sharing between online platforms, parents and researchers should be improved to better understand the impact of digital services on children’s wellbeing.
“AI and other technologies have the power to transform our economies and create prosperity for people across all our nations,” said Liz Kendall, UK Science and Technology Secretary.
“But ordinary citizens and businesses will only see those benefits when they have trust that these technologies are being developed safely and responsibly — and when children can grow up in a digital world designed with their wellbeing in mind.”
The G7 also reaffirmed its commitment to developing AI responsibly, supporting SME adoption of AI and strengthening international collaboration on AI risk assessment and cybersecurity.
