Human Security Implications on Children in the Tech Era
“Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master,” said Christian Lous Lange, a statement that aptly reflects the realities of contemporary society, where children are increasingly surrounded by screens and digital applications. In this tech-driven era, many children prefer texting, swiping, liking, and commenting rather than communicating in person, socialising, or engaging in physical activities. Digital devices have thus become both their playground and classroom, shaping how they learn, play, and interact socially from an early age.
Technology assists not only children but also adults in multiple ways, most notably during the COVID-19 pandemic, which underscored its significance for e-learning, remote communication, and continuity in education. This period highlighted both the immense potential of technology and the vulnerabilities it introduces, revealing the fine balance between convenience and overreliance.
As the digital landscape grows increasingly complex, children often struggle to differentiate right from wrong or to verify factual information, making them highly susceptible to online risks. While technology has opened doors for learning, communication, and innovation, it has simultaneously introduced new forms of vulnerability, including privacy violations, overexposure, algorithmic bias, cyberbullying, and addiction.
Yet, beyond these risks, technology also holds significant potential for children’s growth and empowerment. Responsible and guided use can foster creativity, enhance problem-solving skills, expand access to knowledge, and develop critical digital literacy competencies vital for navigating the modern world. Technology can also play a crucial role in promoting social and emotional development, enabling children to express themselves, explore identities, and connect with diverse perspectives.
Given the sensitive and rapidly evolving nature of technological advancement, it is essential to examine this phenomenon from a human security perspective, a framework often overlooked in digital policy debates. Unlike traditional notions of national security, human security encompasses the psychological, social, and digital dimensions of well-being, focusing on the protection and empowerment of individuals. As highlighted by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 66/290, “human security is an approach to assist Member States in identifying and addressing widespread and cross-cutting challenges to the survival, livelihood, and dignity of their people.” Applying this lens to children’s digital experiences ensures that their safety, rights, and holistic development remain at the centre of digital policies and practices.
Technology
Technology has become one of the most integral aspects of contemporary life. For children, it has created unprecedented access to information, interactive learning tools, and global knowledge networks. Educational apps, e-learning platforms, online documentaries, and interactive games not only support academic development but also encourage creative thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability. Early childhood, particularly the first five years, is a critical period for cognitive, social-emotional, linguistic, and physical development. Digital tools, when integrated thoughtfully, can complement these developmental processes, stimulating curiosity, fostering learning autonomy, and promoting engagement through interactive experiences. From video games that enhance logic skills to telehealth applications that simplify medical appointments, technology illustrates the innovative ways human creativity intersects with daily life.
Another significant benefit of technology is self-expression. In the digital age, self-expression extends to sharing thoughts, emotions, talents, and ideas through social media, apps, and other platforms. Unlike previous generations, children today have unprecedented opportunities to articulate their identities, experiment with ideas, and connect with global audiences, which can strengthen confidence and foster a sense of agency. However, these opportunities are accompanied by ethical, social, and psychological challenges. The very tools that allow exploration and creativity also expose children to risks such as misinformation, aggressive content, and social comparison, all of which can influence attitudes, values, and mental health.
Family-level challenges in the tech era
Adults
Parents, grandparents, and other caregivers face multiple challenges in guiding children safely in digital spaces.
Many adults struggle with digital literacy gaps, driven by generational differences, limited exposure, and socio-economic disparities. This lack of awareness creates vulnerabilities for children and adults alike.
Since technology evolves rapidly, guiding children born during or after the technological boom requires constant adaptation. Children often learn faster, adapt more quickly, and explore digital spaces more freely than adults can monitor, leaving them susceptible to online threats such as privacy breaches, identity theft, cyberbullying, and child exploitation. Parental supervision is a delicate balance. Excessive control may foster mistrust, while unrestricted freedom can expose children to serious risks. Social media introduce further complexity by presenting global cultural norms and lifestyles, which may clash with local traditions or familial values.
This generational and cultural friction underscores the need for informed, flexible, and empathetic guidance in navigating children’s online experiences.
Children
Although children benefit greatly from technology, they face numerous challenges, often due to limited digital literacy. Cybercrimes, exposure to inappropriate content, and misinformation pose tangible risks to their safety, development, and mental well-being. A single unmonitored click on a link can compromise privacy and security, demonstrating how quickly online spaces can become hazardous.
Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory emphasises that children imitate behaviors observed in others. His Bobo Doll experiment demonstrated that aggression and other behaviours can be learned through observation rather than direct experience, a phenomenon magnified in online environments where children encounter both positive and negative role models.
Technology does not inherently filter content for age appropriateness, meaning children may internalise violent, misleading, or harmful behaviours without guidance. Furthermore, exposure to social media-driven beauty standards, commercial misinformation, and unrealistic portrayals of lifestyle can adversely affect self-esteem, induce anxiety, and even trigger depressive tendencies. The combination of peer influence, inadequate adult supervision, and limited critical evaluation skills heightens the risk that children may not only fall victim to harmful online behaviours but may also engage in problematic actions themselves. These dynamics illustrate the intertwined challenges of protection, education, and empowerment central to human security.
Strengthening human security for children in the tech era
Strengthening human security for children requires a multifaceted, proactive approach. Integrating digital resilience and cyber ethics into educational curricula equips children with the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate online spaces safely and responsibly. National awareness initiatives aimed at parents and communities further foster understanding of both the opportunities and risks associated with children’s digital engagement. Technology itself must be designed ethically, with transparent algorithms and age-appropriate content that safeguards children’s safety. Robust data protection frameworks and legal mechanisms are also essential to uphold children’s rights to privacy, security, and informed digital participation. Collaboration among governments, technology companies, educators, and civil society is necessary to create an inclusive, safe, and supportive digital ecosystem. These measures exemplify the human security framework by combining protection with empowerment, ensuring that children can safely harness technology to enhance learning, creativity, and social development rather than becoming passive or vulnerable users.
Conclusion
As children grow up increasingly immersed in digital environments, the intersection of technology and human security has never been more critical. The digital era offers unparalleled opportunities for learning, creativity, and global engagement, yet it introduces significant risks including cybercrime, exposure to misinformation, and social isolation. Children, by virtue of their developmental stage and limited digital literacy, are particularly susceptible. Addressing these challenges demands a human security approach that prioritises the well-being, rights, and empowerment of children across psychological, social, and informational domains. Through education, ethical governance, and international cooperation, society can build a digital environment where technology enhances growth rather than threatens security.
Ultimately, securing the digital childhood of today is an investment in the human security of tomorrow, a responsibility shared collectively by families, educators, policymakers, and society as a whole.
Charani L. Charithma M. Patabendige serves as Research Analyst (Actg) and Research Assistant, and Sandali V. Liyanage is a Research Intern at the Institute of National Security Studies (INSS), the think tank on national security operating under the Ministry of Defence. The views expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the positions of the INSS or the Ministry of Defence.