WHO, Macron urge caution on digital environments' impact on youth

The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and French President Emmanuel Macron have issued a joint call for a precautionary approach and robust governance of digital environments, citing concerns over their long-term effects on the health and well-being of children and young people. They emphasize that a precautionary stance does not oppose innovation but prioritizes the best interests of children.

In a joint editorial, the leaders warned that incremental adjustments are no longer sufficient and that the promised benefits of technology are not guaranteed, depending heavily on access, design, and the interests served. They stressed that digital environments are not neutral, and their impact on individuals' lives and health is shaped by the design of applications, their governance, and monetization strategies. While acknowledging potential benefits like enhanced learning and access to services, they reiterated that these advantages are not assured.

Tedros and Macron asserted that children and adolescents are not subjects for experimentation, a captive market, or commodities. They are urging for age-appropriate designs and enhanced safeguards for child health as part of the necessary governance. The WHO is intensifying its research to better understand the impact of current and future technologies, aiming to provide technical guidance to countries and foster safe, equitable digital health environments.

Regarding generative artificial intelligence, they identified it as a significant multiplier of both risks and opportunities for child welfare. While responsible use could support education and accessibility, the long-term effects on children's expectations regarding relationships, empathy, and self-regulation remain uncertain. The leaders highlighted how repeated exposure to stereotypical, sexualized, violent, or discriminatory content shapes children's self-perception and understanding of the world. They also pointed out that algorithms, designed to capture attention rather than ensure accuracy, can promote misleading health information, and the collection of personal data for targeted marketing raises concerns about privacy and manipulation.

“

Un enfoque de precaución no significa oponerse a la innovación, significa situar el interés superior de la infancia en primer lugar