G7 leaders on Wednesday pledged to strengthen online protections for children and teenagers.
In a statement issued at the end of their three-day summit in Évian, France, the leaders called for stronger age-verification systems, additional safety measures on digital platforms, and tougher action against child sexual abuse material and sexually explicit deepfakes.
"We, the leaders of the G7, are committed to providing a safe digital space for our minors, which include children and youth under 18, for their development, for their education and for their well-being," the statement said.
Providers of digital services have a responsibility to offer platforms that are safe by design, while parents and caregivers should be given tools, including parental controls, to help guide and manage minors' online experiences, the leaders said.
The move comes amid growing debate over the potential risks posed by social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat.
While stressing that these platforms can play a positive role by improving learning opportunities and fostering creativity and social connections, the G7 warned that children can also be exposed to illegal or age-inappropriate content and interactions that may harm their mental health and well-being.
The leaders also raised concerns about "engagement maximizing features," saying they could contribute to compulsive or addictive behaviour.
Content recommendation systems should be designed to promote age-appropriate material and "reduce exposure to risks," they said.
