The rapid advancement of the digital era brings unparalleled opportunities for children, yet it also introduces unique challenges that demand collective action. Experts, advocates, and leaders from around the world shared their perspectives on safeguarding children in the age of AI and the internet during the World Internet Conference. Their insights illuminate a path forward where technology and humanity align to protect our youngest generations.

Thomas Davin, Director of the Innovation Office of UNICEF, highlighted the dual nature of the digital world:"The digital world offers great potential for children to thrive, but it also presents significant risks that we must address together. UNICEF remains committed to creating a safer and more empowering digital environment for all children."

This global commitment resonates in the work being done on a regional level. Amanda Bissex, UNICEF Deputy Representative to China, emphasized a multi-faceted approach: "In line with UNICEF’s global child online protection framework, in China, UNICEF is actively working with partners to protect children from harm in the digital age with a multi-sectoral approach, placing emphasis on the role of governments and the private sector in supporting children, their families, and schools."

From an academic and cultural perspective, Yoro Diallo, Director of the African Museum at Zhejiang Normal University, called for collective responsibility: "Protecting young children in this digital age is a shared responsibility. Together, we can create an environment where children thrive and do so safely. The well-being of our children is and always will be our most important priority for building a community with a shared future for mankind."

In Kenya, Joy Katunge Matheka, Legal Officer at Kenya Alliance for Advancement of Children, stressed the importance of legislation: "The state must enact robust laws that explicitly prioritize online safety as a key aspect of child protection, with a particular focus on legislating against online crimes such as child exploitation and data misuse."

Rami Khalil, Chief Representative of Armenia's Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China, offered a personal observation on China's approach:"Both of my children are studying in China, and through observation, I have noticed that schools greatly emphasize educating teenagers about online safety. Additionally, they actively guide students on how to become responsible digital citizens and better integrate into society."

Awo Aidam Amenyah, Executive Director of Child Online Africa, recognized the role of international collaboration: "Our goal is to establish a comprehensive legal system that ensures the protection of minors in both China and Africa. In terms of resource support, China's Belt and Road Initiative offers us an opportunity, and we can also strive for financial assistance from UNICEF. As for human resources, we should fully harness the leverage of civil society."

Himadrish Suwan, Chairman of the Confederation of Young Leaders of India, underscored the need for cross-border partnerships:"India cannot solve all its problems alone and needs to collaborate with other countries. As China is an important neighbor of India, we should strengthen cooperation to protect the safety of minors and promote their development."

Asad Khalil, Director of the China-Arab Law Research Center at Southwest University of Political Science & Law, offered a poetic reflection on AI and humanity: "In Chinese, the pronunciation of 'AI' is the same as the word for 'love'. In the era of AI, it is even more important for us to express love. As both parents and educators, we must combine these two roles better to protect minors and young people around the world."

Through these voices, a unified message emerges: technology should be a tool for nurturing, not endangering, our future generations. By working together, we can create a digital landscape where children are empowered to grow, learn, and thrive safely.（By Liu Jiajia, Liangyan）