International Experts Advocate Platform Design and AI Solutions to Improve Digital Safety for Children and Youths

How can children use digital media in an autonomous but safe way?

(IN BRIEF) An international group of experts is advocating for a new approach to digital safety for children and adolescents, emphasizing improved platform design over blanket social media bans. Published in Science, the research highlights how recent legal actions against companies like Meta and Google underscore the need to address risks built into digital platforms themselves. The group proposes the use of AI-driven tools to monitor and guide user behavior while protecting privacy through on-device processing. They also stress the importance of family involvement, customizable settings, and rapid support systems for addressing online harm. In addition, the researchers call for greater participation of young people in shaping digital education and platform development. The initiative, coordinated by the Technical University of Munich in collaboration with global partners, aims to create safer and more empowering digital environments for young users.

(PRESS RELEASE) MUNICH, 7-Apr-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — An international group of researchers and experts is calling for a shift in how digital safety for young people is approached, arguing that improved platform design—not blanket restrictions—offers a more effective path forward. The recommendations, published in the journal Science, focus on creating safer digital environments for children and adolescents aged 13 and above.

The initiative brings together specialists from academia, children’s rights organizations, and non-profit institutions, including experts from the Technical University of Munich. Among them, Sandra Cortesi and Urs Gasser emphasize that the growing debate around restricting social media access for young people should move beyond bans and instead focus on how platforms are designed.

Recent legal decisions in the United States, where Meta and Google faced penalties for failing to adequately protect minors, have intensified discussions around platform responsibility. According to the researchers, these rulings highlight a critical shift: digital safety is not only about moderating harmful content but also about addressing risks embedded in platform features themselves.

Rather than relying solely on age-based restrictions, the group advocates for regulatory frameworks that require companies to build child-friendly digital environments from the outset. This includes removing features that may encourage addictive behavior and implementing safeguards against exploitation. The aim is to enable young users to develop digital skills and autonomy while remaining protected.

Artificial intelligence is identified as a key tool in achieving this balance. The researchers suggest that AI systems embedded directly on devices could monitor patterns of use and intervene when risks arise. For instance, such systems could identify exposure to harmful content trends, flag potentially unsafe interactions, or prompt users to reconsider sharing sensitive images. Importantly, these processes would occur locally on devices, ensuring that personal data is not transmitted to external platforms.

The experts also highlight the importance of involving families in shaping digital habits. They propose that parents and children collaboratively define their own “digital consumption” guidelines, supported by customizable platform settings. While acknowledging that not all households have the resources or expertise to manage such configurations, the group stresses the importance of protective default settings.

In cases where young users encounter harmful content or online abuse, the researchers underline the need for immediate and accessible support systems. Anonymous reporting mechanisms, combined with rapid responses and peer-based assistance, are seen as critical components of an effective safety framework.

Beyond technology and regulation, the group calls for greater involvement of children and adolescents in shaping digital education and platform design. Schools, in particular, are encouraged to adopt participatory approaches that empower students to contribute their experiences and insights. This, the researchers argue, can foster a sense of agency and help young people navigate digital environments with greater confidence.

The broader initiative, coordinated through the TUM Think Tank in collaboration with partners including Harvard University and the University of Zurich, brought together more than 40 experts across disciplines such as technology, psychology, law, and design. The project was supported by Apple Inc. and aims to develop actionable strategies that align digital innovation with the rights, well-being, and empowerment of young users.

The interviewees

Sandra Cortesi is a professor of Participation and Diversity in Digital Societies at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). She heads the new Youth and Media Lab at the TUM Think Tank. Previously, Cortesi conducted research at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, where she is a Faculty Associate today. She is also a Senior Research and Teaching Associate at the University of Zurich. She has obtained a PhD in psychology.

Urs Gasser is a professor of Public Policy, Governance and Innovative Technology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). He is Dean of the TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology as well as Rector of the Munich School of Politics and Public Policy (HfP) at TUM. Previously, he was Executive Director of the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University and a professor at Harvard Law School.

Publications

S. Cortesi, U. Gasser. Digital child safety at the frontier: From evidence to action, Science 2026. DOI: 10.1126/science.aec7804

Frontiers in Digital Child Safety Working Group. (2025). Frontiers in digital child safety: Designing a child-centered digital environment that supports rights, agency, and well-being (S. Cortesi & U. Gasser, Eds.)

Further information and links

The Frontiers in Digital Child Safety project brought together more than 40 experts from academia, children’s rights organizations and non-profit institutions in the fields of social sciences, technology, design, psychology and law. The project was funded by Apple Inc. The project group was coordinated at the TUM Think Tank by Prof. Sandra Cortesi and Prof. Urs Gasser in collaboration with researchers from Harvard University and the University of Zurich.

The TUM Think Tank brings together academia, civil society, politics and business to jointly develop solutions and tools for pressing societal problems.

Media Contacts:

Corporate Communications Center
Klaus Becker
klaus.becker@tum.de
presse@tum.de

Contacts to this article:

Prof. Dr. Sandra Cortesi
Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Professorship of Participation and Diversity in Digital Societies
Tel.: +49 89 289 24515
sandra.cortesi@tum.de

Prof. Dr. Urs Gasser
Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Chair of Public Policy, Governance and Innovative Technology
Tel.: +49 89 907793 270
urs.gasser@tum.de

SOURCE: Technical University of Munich