Chandra Wijayanto
GENEVA – A recent study urges serious attention to the potential risks of artificial intelligence (AI) threatening the younger generation. Global child protection organizations have issued a stern warning, highlighting latent dangers such as deepfakes, manipulative algorithms, and emotional dependency that could harm the psychosocial development of children and adolescents in 2026.
The report, released by a consortium of child rights organizations, emphasizes the urgency of implementing concrete protective measures. The study comprehensively details how continuous interaction with AI systems, without adequate regulation, can exploit the psychological and emotional vulnerabilities of minors.
Deepfakes, one of the most prominent threats, enable the creation of highly realistic fake images or videos. This technology has the potential to be used for cyberbullying, spreading misinformation, or even exploitation, significantly damaging the reputation and mental health of adolescent victims.
Furthermore, manipulative algorithms designed to maximize user engagement are also under scrutiny. These algorithms often create filter bubbles and feedback loops that reinforce narrow views, foster addictive behaviors, and negatively impact children's self-image and self-esteem.
Emotional dependency on interactions with AI or virtual characters is becoming increasingly evident, said a spokesperson from one of the child organizations during a press conference. Children and adolescents can develop unhealthy attachments, neglect real-world interpersonal relationships, and disrupt their natural empathetic development.
These risks are not limited to direct interaction with devices. The vast digital ecosystem, from social media platforms to AI-based educational applications, all potentially have security and ethical gaps that are harmful.
These organizations call on policymakers, technology developers, and educational institutions to act immediately. They recommend a series of interventions, including:
- Developing a robust regulatory framework for AI use involving children.
- Improving digital literacy for children, parents, and educators.
- Investing in independent research on the long-term impact of AI on child development.
- Encouraging technology companies to prioritize ethical design and child privacy.
Governments in various countries, including the European Union, have already begun to respond to similar threats. Several regulations have been proposed or enacted to protect children's digital privacy and security, such as efforts to ban 'digital nude' applications in Europe, demonstrating a commitment to child data protection.
In Indonesia, President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, through the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, are expected to take proactive steps in formulating adaptive and comprehensive AI regulations, in line with the global spirit of child protection.
To date, digital education for parents remains the front line. Understanding the risks and how to manage children's access to technology is a critical key to mitigating the negative impacts of AI. The global community must work together to create a safe and conducive digital environment for children's growth and development.
Editorial Insight: This warning from child rights organizations is not just an alarm, but a serious call to redefine the paradigm of interaction between the younger generation and technology. Without clear ethical and regulatory frameworks, AI innovation risks becoming a double-edged sword, offering progress while simultaneously creating unprecedented vulnerabilities. Collective responsibility from regulators, industry, and society is crucial to ensure AI develops as an empowering tool, not a threat.
