G7 Digital Ministers have reached a landmark agreement on a shared approach to protecting children and young people online, marking the first time G7 nations have collectively committed to
common principles for online child safety.
The agreement represents the strongest coordinated action to date among G7 members to address digital harms affecting children, while also advancing the safe and responsible development of artificial intelligence (AI) to support economic growth and innovation.
Under the new framework, G7 countries have adopted a set of shared principles designed to tackle risks facing children in the digital environment, including exposure to harmful content, exploitation, and emerging challenges associated with AI-powered services. The principles emphasize the importance of digital literacy, stronger protections from AI-related risks, and greater accountability among digital service providers.
Central to the agreement is the commitment that children's safety should be embedded into the design of digital products and services from the outset, supported by effective age-assurance measures. G7 members also pledged to strengthen collaboration between technology companies, children, parents, and guardians to create safer online experiences.
The announcement follows the recent closure of the UK's consultation on protecting children from online harms, which sought public feedback on measures such as age-based restrictions, limitations on potentially harmful app features, and enhanced parental controls. Thousands of responses were submitted by children, parents, educators, and industry experts, with the UK Government expected to outline next steps shortly.
To further strengthen protections, G7 nations agreed to improve data-sharing practices among online platforms, researchers, and families to deepen understanding of how digital services affect children's wellbeing and development.
Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said: “AI and other technologies have the power to transform our economies and create prosperity for people across all our nations.
But ordinary citizens and businesses will only see those benefits when they have trust that these technologies are being developed safely and responsibly — and when children can grow up in a digital world designed with their wellbeing in mind.
The agreements we have reached today are an important step on that journey: outlining a shared approach to protecting our children, backing our small businesses to adopt AI, and ensuring AI is developed safely and responsibly”.
Alongside discussions on online safety, ministers reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring AI is developed and deployed in ways that promote trust, innovation, and economic opportunity.
Recognizing the growing importance of managing AI-related risks, G7 members agreed to continue work under France's Presidency to build a shared understanding of AI risk assessment frameworks. Discussions will focus on addressing challenges including cybersecurity threats and the misuse of AI in chemical and biological domains, while maintaining an environment that supports innovation.
To accelerate AI adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), ministers also endorsed a new tool developed in partnership with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The initiative will help businesses assess their AI readiness, identify skills gaps, and strengthen workforce capabilities to support faster and more effective adoption of AI technologies.
In addition, G7 members adopted a Vision on AI Openness, recognizing the important role AI models play in advancing scientific research, innovation, and long-term economic growth.
Together, these commitments reinforce the G7's shared objective of ensuring digital technologies are developed responsibly, deliver tangible benefits for citizens and businesses, and maintain public trust. G7 members will now work alongside international organizations, industry leaders, and academic institutions to implement the agreed measures and drive meaningful progress. Photo by mikemacmarketing, Wikimedia commons.
