Protecting Children in Cyberconflicts
Safeguarding Young Lives in the Age of AI, 5G, and Cyber Threats
Enoch KM Updated 17 July 2024 | 12:30PM

The impact of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G cellular networks, and advanced cybersecurity measures on children's rights, safety, and well-being is a growing concern.
Based on insights from a comprehensive report by UNICEF's Office of Global Insight and Policy , here's a summary of the key findings and their implications.
Key Points:
- Direct and Indirect Threats: Children are increasingly at risk from data theft, recruitment into armed groups, and cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure like schools and hospitals.
- Psychological Impact: Exposure to online misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech can inflict severe psychological and physical harm on children.
- Data and Infrastructure: Cyberattacks on the health and education sectors threaten the confidentiality and integrity of children's data and essential services.
Goals:
- Advocate for stronger safeguards in digital governance to protect children.
- Highlight the legal and technical risks to children's rights.
- Encourage states to consider the impact on children in cyberspace governance.
- Healthcare Cybersecurity

Risks to Children:
- Cyber Threats: AI-powered surveillance and data breaches are heightening risks. Social media platforms and virtual reality spaces like the metaverse amplify these dangers.
Legal Gaps
There’s an urgent need for clear regulations to protect children's rights in the digital space. States must avoid supporting cyber operations that could harm children.Recommendations
- Engage in policy development to prioritize children's protection in cyberspace.
- Enhance understanding of risks through cross-disciplinary research.
- Develop legal guidance and operational strategies for better protection.
AI and Cyber Operations
- AI intensifies cyber conflicts by analyzing and predicting societal behaviors, used for both defense and sophisticated cyber threats.
- With their interconnected infrastructure and unsecured devices, urban areas are particularly vulnerable.
Actors in Cyberconflict
- States and non-state actors, including advanced persistent threat (APT) groups (skilled hackers often linked to countries) and hacktivists (ideological hackers), play significant roles in cyber conflicts. These actors use AI and cybersecurity tools for espionage and ideological hacking.
Conclusion:
- Protecting children in the digital age requires a multifaceted approach. As emerging technologies like AI and 5G reshape our world, the potential threats to children's safety and well-being grow more complex.
- By advocating for stronger safeguards in digital governance, addressing legal gaps, and prioritizing children's protection in policy development, we can create a safer cyberspace for future generations. Collaborative efforts from states, researchers, and organizations are essential to ensure that children's rights are upheld in the face of evolving cyber threats. For an in-depth exploration of these issues, the full UNICEF report offers comprehensive insights and recommendations.
- Protecting Children in Cyberconflicts - UNICEF's Office of Global Insight and Policy
- https://dornsife.usc.edu/assets/sites/215/docs/SEMINAR_PAPERS/Brandon_Valeriano.pdf