New Delhi: From endless scrolling and immersive gaming to AI-powered chatbots becoming children’s new companions, the digital world is changing childhood
faster than ever before. While technology has opened unprecedented opportunities for learning, creativity and connection, the World Health Organization (WHO) is sounding the alarm over its growing impact on children’s physical, mental and emotional well-being. In a fresh warning, the global health body says the conversation can no longer be limited to “screen time” alone – it must now include how social media algorithms, online gaming ecosystems and artificial intelligence are influencing the health, safety and development of the next generation.
WHO: Children’s digital health is now public health priority
In its latest commentary, the WHO argues that children’s health is increasingly being shaped by the digital environments they inhabit. It stresses that smartphones, social media platforms, online gaming and AI-powered technologies are no longer separate aspects of modern life—they have become deeply embedded in childhood and adolescence.
According to the UN health agency, the challenge is not technology itself, but the way digital platforms are designed, regulated and consumed. Without stronger safeguards, today’s digital ecosystem could expose millions of children to long-term health and developmental risks.
Why WHO is concerned about social media
The WHO highlights that excessive and unhealthy social media use can have far-reaching consequences beyond entertainment.
Among the key concerns are:
- Increased feelings of loneliness despite being constantly connected online.
- Reduced face-to-face social interaction and weaker real-world relationships.
- Greater exposure to cyberbullying, online harassment and harmful content.
- Sleep disruption caused by prolonged screen use, particularly late at night.
- Sedentary lifestyles that contribute to obesity and other non-communicable diseases.
- Rising anxiety, stress and other mental health concerns linked to unhealthy digital engagement.
Health experts have long noted that sleep deprivation and physical inactivity are major risk factors for chronic illnesses, making digital habits an important public health issue rather than merely a parenting challenge.
Online gaming isn’t risk-free either
The WHO also points to online gaming as another area requiring closer attention.
While gaming can promote creativity, teamwork and problem-solving, prolonged or compulsive gaming may reduce physical activity, interfere with sleep and contribute to social isolation. Excessive gaming can also affect academic performance and overall well-being when it replaces healthy daily routines.
The organisation has previously recognised gaming disorder as a diagnosable condition under the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), underscoring the seriousness of problematic gaming behaviour in some individuals.
AI introduces new layer of risks
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of children’s daily lives through chatbots, recommendation algorithms, image generators and personalised learning tools.
However, WHO warns that AI also introduces new challenges.
Among the emerging concerns are:
- AI-generated misinformation and misleading content.
- Deepfake images and videos targeting children.
- AI-generated child sexual abuse material.
- Manipulative or emotionally persuasive AI systems.
- Privacy risks linked to extensive data collection.
- Difficulty distinguishing authentic information from AI-generated content.
The organisation says AI has enormous potential to improve education and healthcare, but stronger safeguards are essential to ensure children’s rights and safety are protected.
Online sexual exploitation is growing
One of the strongest warnings in the WHO commentary relates to online abuse.
The agency says online sexual exploitation and abuse of children are increasing globally, accompanied by a sharp rise in child sexual abuse material, AI-generated abuse imagery and deepfake sexual or bullying content.
Such experiences, WHO notes, can leave lasting psychological trauma, undermine trust and severely affect children’s mental health and sense of safety.
WHO wants governments and tech companies to act
Rather than placing responsibility solely on parents, WHO is calling for coordinated action involving governments, technology companies, educators, healthcare professionals and families.
The organisation recommends:
- Designing digital platforms with children’s safety as a priority.
- Stronger regulation of harmful online content.
- Greater transparency in how recommendation algorithms operate.
- Better digital literacy education for children and parents.
- Privacy-by-design standards for products used by minors.
- Improved safeguards against cyberbullying, exploitation and AI-related harms.
The agency emphasises that children deserve digital environments that actively support their health instead of undermining it.
WHO’s warning comes as governments worldwide are tightening child safety regulations for digital platforms.
