UN says protecting children online an ‘urgent priority’
The United Nations has emphasized the urgent need to protect children online, highlighting that online harms are a result of specific business practices and design choices. UN rights chief Volker Turk called for accountability from tech companies and better regulations to ensure child safety on digital platforms. He stressed that simply imposing age restrictions is insufficient and that safety must be embedded in the design of online services.
- ▪The UN has declared protecting children online an urgent priority.
- ▪UN rights chief Volker Turk stated that online harms result from design choices and business practices.
- ▪The UN has proposed guidelines to enhance children's safety online, including restrictions on micro-targeting for commercial purposes.
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UN says protecting children online an ‘urgent priority’Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxBereaved parents in London hold portraits of their children who they say died as a result of social media business practices.PHOTO: EPAPublished May 29, 2026, 04:34 PMUpdated May 29, 2026, 04:35 PMListenGENEVA – Making the digital world safe for children is an urgent priority, the United Nations said on May 29, adding that those responsible for online harm must be held to account.UN rights chief Volker Turk said states have to force tech giants to embed child safety.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.