Introduction
Children today are growing up in a deeply digital environment. Online platforms play a central role in their education, entertainment, communication, and creativity. From educational applications and online games to social media platforms and smart devices, children interact with technology on a daily basis. In doing so, they generate large volumes of personal data, including basic identifiers, usage patterns, location data, and behavioral information.
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more deeply embedded in digital platforms, this data is no longer static. Instead, it is actively processed, analyzed, and used to personalize content, automate decision-making, and influence user engagement. While these technologies offer convenience and innovation, they also raise important questions about how children’s data is collected, processed, and protected. This evolving landscape has prompted renewed discussion around whether existing legal frameworks are adequate and whether a shift toward stronger preventive safeguards is required.
AI and the Changing Nature of Risk
The primary concern surrounding AI-driven platforms is not data collection alone, but how that data is used. AI systems rely on large datasets to identify patterns, predict preferences, and tailor user experiences. For children, this can create heightened risks due to their developing cognitive abilities and limited capacity to understand long-term consequences.
AI-powered systems may generate detailed user profiles based on interests, behavior, and engagement patterns. These profiles are often used to determine what content is displayed, how interfaces are designed, and how long users are encouraged to remain on a platform. Without appropriate safeguards, such systems may unintentionally promote excessive screen time, encourage impulsive spending, or expose children to age-inappropriate material.
The increasing use of generative AI, including conversational tools and automated content creation, further emphasizes the need for careful oversight. When children interact with automated systems that simulate conversation or creativity, it becomes essential to ensure these tools are designed with strong safety boundaries and age-appropriate protections.
Legal Approaches Around the World
Globally, legal frameworks addressing children’s data protection are evolving at different speeds and through different philosophies.
In the United States, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) focuses primarily on parental consent. It requires online services to obtain verifiable parental permission before collecting personal data from children under 13. While this model emphasizes parental control, it places limited obligations on how data is used after consent is obtained and does not directly regulate platform design or AI-driven engagement practices.
The European Union takes a broader, rights-based approach through the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Children’s data is recognized as deserving special protection, with requirements for clear communication and limitations on processing. Complementing this framework, the EU’s emerging AI regulations aim to address risks associated with automated systems, including those that may disproportionately affect vulnerable groups such as children.
The United Kingdom has taken a particularly proactive stance with the Age Appropriate Design Code, also known as the Children’s Code. This framework emphasizes “safety by design,” requiring platforms to consider children’s best interests at every stage of development. Key principles include default high-privacy settings, data minimization, and restrictions on design features that may encourage harmful or excessive engagement.
Toward a Child-Centered Global Standard
At the international level, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) provides a foundational principle: children’s rights apply fully in digital environments. Recent guidance has reinforced the responsibility of governments and businesses to ensure that digital systems respect children’s dignity, safety, and well-being.
This global momentum reflects a growing consensus that responsibility for child data protection should not rest solely on parents or children themselves. Instead, platforms and technology providers must play a central role by embedding safeguards directly into their systems.
Conclusion
As AI continues to shape digital experiences, protecting children’s data requires more than traditional notice-and-consent mechanisms. Complex technologies and automated decision-making systems demand proactive accountability from those who design and operate them. A shift toward “safety by design” represents an important evolution—one that prioritizes children’s best interests, limits unnecessary data use, and ensures that innovation does not come at the cost of child well-being.
By Shweta Upadhyay
Disclaimer :-This article is not legal advice. The views are the author’s own. Readers should consult a qualified legal professional for specific guidance.
