UN Warns of AI and Misinformation Risks Facing Youth Online

The United Nations has warned that children and young people face escalating risks in the digital environment, including misinformation, harassment, algorithmic bias, and the malicious use of artificial intelligence, at a time when more than 80 percent of young people aged 15 to 24 worldwide use the internet. The warning came in a new briefing note released ahead of International Youth Day and was carried by the Saudi Press Agency, highlighting a global challenge that intersects with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s own ambitions for a safe, innovative, and youth-centered digital future.

Context and Background

The UN briefing note, published via official channels, explains that internet use among young people in low-income countries is nearly twice as high as among the rest of the population, underscoring how digital access is expanding fastest among the very demographic most exposed to online harm. The note points to business models that profit from user attention and personal data, combined with design features and algorithms engineered to maximize engagement, as key drivers of the risks young people encounter.

According to the briefing, children and young people are disproportionately affected by these practices because they are still developing critical judgment and are more susceptible to persuasive and manipulative digital content. The UN called on governments, technology companies, advertisers, media organizations, and researchers to strengthen protections for young people and to involve them directly in designing solutions related to information safety.

Key Details

The briefing note stresses that the rapid development of artificial intelligence is outpacing efforts to address its risks, including AI-generated content and forms of exploitation enabled by these technologies, as well as digital advertising methods that target children and encourage increased spending. It calls for urgent action to place child and youth rights at the center of AI governance frameworks and to strengthen legislation as well as the practices of technology, advertising, media, and research organizations.

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, called for stronger protection of children in the field of artificial intelligence, stressing that they must not be exposed to unregulated and unaccountable technologies. The note also emphasizes that young people should not be viewed only as a group at risk, noting that they increasingly act as content creators, advocates, organizers, and participants in public debate, and that their perspectives must be integrated into research and policies on information safety.

Charlotte Scadan, Senior Advisor to the United Nations on Information Safety, affirmed that children and young people are among the most affected by the current information crisis and, at the same time, among the most capable of contributing to its solution, stressing the need to combine their protection with their participation.

Implications and Impact

The UN’s warning carries significant implications for governments worldwide, particularly as AI tools become more accessible and as digital platforms shape the information diets of millions of young users. For Saudi Arabia, which has one of the youngest and most digitally connected populations in the region, the findings reinforce the importance of national efforts to promote digital literacy, responsible AI use, and safe online environments. The Kingdom has consistently emphasized the role of youth as drivers of national progress, and the UN note aligns with Riyadh’s broader commitment to innovation governed by clear ethical and legal standards.

The briefing also highlights the need for international cooperation, since digital platforms operate across borders and the risks they pose cannot be addressed by any single country alone. The UN’s call for multistakeholder action reflects a growing global consensus that technology governance must balance openness and innovation with robust safeguards for vulnerable groups.

Vision 2030 Alignment

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 places young people at the heart of the Kingdom’s transformation, prioritizing education, digital skills, and quality of life alongside economic diversification. The UN’s emphasis on protecting youth online and involving them in shaping solutions resonates with Saudi initiatives that empower young citizens and residents to participate safely and productively in the digital economy. By supporting responsible AI development and information integrity, the Kingdom continues to contribute to a global environment where technology serves human welfare, in line with the leadership’s forward-looking vision for a secure and prosperous future.

20 Questions

Q1. What did the United Nations warn about?

A1. The United Nations warned about increasing risks facing children and youth in the digital environment, including misinformation, harassment, algorithmic bias, and malicious use of artificial intelligence, according to a briefing note released ahead of International Youth Day.

Q2. What percentage of young people use the internet worldwide?

A2. More than 80 percent of young people aged 15 to 24 around the world use the internet, according to the United Nations briefing note, highlighting how deeply digital technology is embedded in the daily lives of youth globally.

Q3. How does internet use among youth in low-income countries compare?

A3. The briefing note states that internet use among young people in low-income countries is nearly twice as high as among the rest of the population, showing that youth are at the forefront of digital adoption in these regions.

Q4. What drives online risks for young people according to the UN?

A4. Business models based on user attention and personal data, along with design features and algorithms designed to increase engagement and usage, are key drivers of online risks for young people, as outlined in the briefing note.

Q5. Why are children and youth more vulnerable to these risks?

A5. The UN note explains that children and young people are more susceptible to these practices because they are still developing critical thinking skills and are more easily influenced by persuasive digital content and manipulative design.

Q6. What did the UN ask governments to do?

A6. The UN called on governments, technology companies, advertisers, media, and researchers to strengthen protection for young people and to involve them in developing solutions related to information safety and digital well-being.

Q7. What concern did the UN raise about artificial intelligence?

A7. The briefing warned that the rapid development of artificial intelligence is outpacing efforts to address its risks, including AI-generated content, exploitative uses of the technology, and digital advertising that targets children and encourages spending.

Q8. What did António Guterres say about children and AI?

A8. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for stronger protection of children in artificial intelligence, stressing that they must not be exposed to unregulated and unaccountable technologies that could cause harm.

Q9. How does the UN view young people beyond being at risk?

A9. The note emphasizes that young people should not be seen only as a group at risk, as they increasingly act as content creators, advocates, organizers, and participants in public debate who can help shape solutions.

Q10. What did Charlotte Scadan say about youth and the information crisis?

A10. Charlotte Scadan, Senior Advisor to the UN on Information Safety, said children and young people are among the most affected by the information crisis and also among the most capable of contributing to solutions, requiring both protection and participation.

Q11. What does the UN recommend regarding AI governance?

A11. The UN urged accelerating the integration of child and youth rights into AI governance frameworks and strengthening legislation and practices across technology, advertising, media, and research sectors to ensure safer digital environments.

Q12. How does this warning relate to Saudi Arabia?

A12. For Saudi Arabia, with one of the youngest and most digitally connected populations in the region, the warning reinforces national efforts in digital literacy, responsible AI use, and safe online environments for youth.

Q13. Why is international cooperation important on this issue?

A13. Digital platforms operate across borders, so the risks they pose cannot be addressed by any single country alone. International cooperation and multistakeholder action are essential to balance innovation with safeguards.

Q14. How does Vision 2030 connect to the UN’s message?

A14. Vision 2030 places young people at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s transformation, prioritizing education, digital skills, and quality of life, which aligns with the UN’s emphasis on protecting youth online and involving them in shaping solutions.

Q15. What types of digital harm did the UN highlight?

A15. The UN highlighted misinformation, harassment, algorithmic bias, AI-generated harmful content, exploitation enabled by AI, and targeted digital advertising that encourages children to spend more as key digital harms.

Q16. Who should be involved in making the internet safer for youth?

A16. Governments, technology companies, advertisers, media organizations, researchers, and young people themselves should all be involved in creating a safer digital environment, according to the UN briefing note.

Q17. What role do algorithms play in online risks?

A17. Algorithms designed to maximize engagement and usage can amplify harmful content and keep young users online longer, increasing their exposure to misinformation, harassment, and other digital risks, the note explains.

Q18. What is the significance of International Youth Day in this context?

A18. The UN released its briefing note ahead of International Youth Day to draw global attention to the challenges young people face online and to promote policies that protect their rights while empowering their participation.

Q19. How can young people contribute to solving information safety challenges?

A19. Young people can contribute as content creators, advocates, organizers, and participants in public debate. The UN recommends integrating their perspectives into research and policies on information safety for more effective solutions.

Q20. What is the overall message of the UN briefing note?

A20. The overall message is that protecting children and youth online requires urgent, coordinated action from all stakeholders, combining robust safeguards with meaningful youth participation, especially as artificial intelligence rapidly evolves.

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