I am just back from a thought-provoking conference experience centered on AI and youth in South Africa. It was hosted at Stellenbosch University, in the Western Cape province about 30 miles east of Cape Town. The specific theme was “Artificial Intelligence, Online Safety and Children’s Rights in the Digital Environment” – areas I am very passionate about, and an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. As someone who has spent decades researching a variety of online risks and harms, I’ve wrestled with the concern that our protective frameworks for emerging technologies are often riddled with reactive measures not based in science. This, of course, leaves our youth in particular (and all users in general) at a disadvantage to fully benefit from all of the positives that such affordances can provide.
My keynote focused on the evolving landscape of digital harm, particularly around artificial intelligence and its impact on youth. I shared findings from our latest research on generative AI and conversational AI chatbot risks among a nationally-representative sample of US middle and high school students, with the hope that these results (though US-centric) can provide stakeholders across the world with a clear picture of what we are seeing. I also detailed what schools, platforms, families, and government need to do in the weeks and months ahead to increase positive outcomes and forestall some unnecessary fallout.
For me, the best thing about the conference was that we weren’t just discussing prevalence rates or the wording of new legislation. Rather, through group discussions and question and answer sessions we engaged in deep work as we tackled concerns about children’s autonomy, participation rights, and protection in digital spaces throughout the proceedings. All throughout, we also integrated the perspectives of multiple disciplines and frameworks. For the social scientists and computer scientists in the house, we also discussed areas for future research and development (I’m keen to keep contributing in this area, and so reach out if you’d like to discuss more!).
Over the three days of the conference, here are the other topics that were covered:
AI, Data Protection, and Child Rights. The challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence and data governance were examined, including issues of child privacy, online exploitation, cyberbullying, intermediary liability, and children’s “right to be forgotten.”
Commercialization and Labor in Childhood. Some participants analyzed the phenomena of “kidfluencing,” digital child labor, monetization, and the erosion of meaningful consent, as well as new risks of exploitation and trafficking in the platform economy.
Child Participation and Agency. The value of authentic youth-led engagement was demonstrated by child-led panels and projects, with strategies to include and elevate children’s voices in research, governance, social media, and climate activism.
Equity, Access, and Inclusion. Internet and device availability, relevant and culturally sensitive content, and support for educators were discussed as key components in ensuring all children have access to safe, meaningful online environments.
Gender, Disability, and Intersectional Risks. Some of the presentations addressed unique vulnerabilities related to gender, disability, and intersecting forms of disadvantage, focusing on online sexual violence, mental health, and the importance of assistive technologies and girl-centered solutions.
Systemic Weaknesses and Capacity Building. Other participants discussed areas of weakness such as parental guidance, adult digital literacy, under-prepared schools, and fragmented policies, emphasizing the need for integrated approaches among families, educators, regulators, and tech industry actors.
Legal Responses, Regulation, and Governance. Some sessions covered global and regional frameworks, age-appropriate digital participation, legal responses to online harms (including AI-driven CSAM), and evolving regulation to protect children both in national and cross-border digital contexts.
School Safety and Digital Education. Creating safe school environments through policy, digital rights education, a balanced approach to tech use at school were a common theme across multiple sessions.
The Role of Non-Governmental Actors and Institutions. The impact of NGOs, family organizations, global institutions, and corporate investment on strengthening child protection and digital safety was heavily explored, with many calls for additional cross-sector collaboration.
It has been argued that in every industrial revolution, children have borne the brunt of progress. The information age is no different. It was clear from the proceedings that child protection and empowerment must be foundational in both the conceptual and practical work we do as youth live out their lives online.
Some shoutouts are warranted. First, I’d like to thank Dr. Admark Moyo, Law Faculty at Stellenbosch, for inviting me to present, and for his unmatched professionalism and kindness in hosting me. I’d also like to thank my friend Jennifer Kaberi from BKC Harvard and Mtoto News, who is doing incredible work to protect and support youth. Also, appreciation goes to Sonia Human and The Children’s Rights Project, which she co-leads, brought together voices that often exist in silos – legal scholars, technology professionals, child protection experts, and children themselves. I’m also thankful to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and Dr. Linda Ncube-Nkomo for partnering with Stellenbosch University and leading some tremendous sessions – they have been champions of these causes for years now. Finally, Admark’s team involving Bridget Joyce Machaka, Bryony Fox, and others were some of the kindest people I’ve met. I hope to see these colleagues – and many others I got to know better – again in the near future. There is much work to be done, and I know we all left inspired to make measurable progress together.
Image Credits: Ignus Dreyer
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