Note to Correspondents: First-ever G7 principles to protect children online

NEW YORK, 1 June 2026 – UNICEF welcomed today the G7 digital and technology ministers’ landmark agreement on common principles for a safer digital space for children – the first time the world's largest economies have aligned behind a shared approach to online child safety.

The principles include commitments to safety and privacy by design, rights-respecting and appropriate* age assurance solutions, recommender systems that prioritise children's safety and well-being over engagement, and urgent action on AI-generated child sexual abuse.

"This is a pivotal moment for children. For the first time, the world's largest economies have agreed on a shared goal: keeping children safe online. What counts now is turning these ambitious principles into concrete obligations for the companies whose design and governance choices shape children's daily experiences, and doing it quickly”, said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Kitty van der Heijden. "Online harm is not inevitable; it is the result of design and governance choices, and those choices can be changed. We were too slow with social media. With AI already in children's feeds and classrooms, we have a narrow window to get this right – by building safety in, not bolting it on,” said van der Heijden.

With over 100 million children living across G7 countries, and billions more using platforms shaped by these markets, the agreement offers a rare opportunity to set protections for every child. Ahead of the meetings, UNICEF provided ministers with global evidence on online harms and effective responses. UNICEF is now calling on G7 members and industry to move quickly from principles to action by publishing and delivering the agreed implementation plan with clear timelines and accountability. With the world’s largest evidence base on online harms, UNICEF stands ready to support governments, industry, and partners as they turn this agreement into real change for children.

# # # #

Notes to editors:

* The G7 Common Set of Principles specifically mentions robust, reliable, risk-based, appropriate, rights-respecting, privacy-preserving and interoperable age assurance solutions.

Link to the full principles: https://www.entreprises.gouv.fr/files/files/Actualites/2026/g7/principles-safer-and-more-secure-digital-space-for-minors.pdf