Safeguarding Children in the Age of AI: A New Design Code
The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has opened up incredible possibilities, but it also raises important questions about its impact on our children. A new document, “Children & AI Design Code,” addresses these concerns by proposing a comprehensive protocol for developing and using AI systems that interact with children.
This code, developed by the 5Rights Foundation, emphasizes prioritizing children’s needs and rights from the beginning of AI development. It acknowledges that children, who comprise a significant portion of the global population and are early adopters of technology, are often overlooked in the AI policy debate.
The document outlines key considerations such as supply chain transparency, the AI lifecycle, and stakeholder engagement, including the crucial involvement of children themselves. It also highlights potential risks to children, such as unfairness, harmful content, privacy breaches, security vulnerabilities, and the risk of “capture” or excessive engagement.
The “Children & AI Design Code” provides a framework for ensuring that AI systems are developmentally appropriate, lawful, safe, fair, reliable, transparent, accountable, and uphold children’s rights. It offers a practical and actionable guide for developers, policymakers, and anyone involved in creating or deploying AI that impacts children.
In an era where AI is increasingly shaping our children's world, this code serves as a vital step toward building a digital environment that is both exciting and safe for young people. It’s a call to action for shared responsibility in protecting children.
Derek E. Baird, M.Ed., is the former Chief Youth Officer at BeMe Health and the award-winning producer of BeingMe: A Teen Mental Health Podcast. A Disney Inventor Award recipient and co-author of ‘The Gen Z Frequency,’ Derek brings 25+ years of expertise in children’s media, technology, and educational technology.
His research, patents, and innovations in youth digital culture, online learning, and digital trust and safety have shaped industry practices and appeared in numerous peer-reviewed publications.
