Digital Choices Shaping Our Children's Health

Around the world, childhood is being reshaped by digital technologies. These tools define how young people learn, play, and connect with others. However, children and young people are not experimental subjects, a captive market, or a simple commodity. Because of this, society must actively shape digital environments that protect and support their healthy development.

From social media and online gaming to generative artificial intelligence (AI), digital environments are powerful determinants of human health. This influence is especially true for children and adolescents. We are witnessing a global shift where digital technology redefines the experience of growing up.

Our task is not to celebrate or condemn technology. Instead, we must face a simple truth: our digital environment promises far-reaching benefits but also poses grave risks to children’s health and development. Our responsibility is to maximize the benefits while preventing the harms. It is not too late to act, but it is too late for merely incremental adjustments.

Digital tools can expand opportunity. They support learning, communication, and access to health services. This is especially true for children in remote areas or those affected by crises. For many young people, online spaces offer creativity, community, and a sense of belonging. This is particularly important for those who face exclusion in the physical world.

However, these benefits are not guaranteed. They depend heavily on who has access, how technologies are designed, and whose interests they serve. Without careful oversight, the potential for harm increases significantly.