“If children are our future, caring about their wellbeing needs to happen today. And that includes making Internet a safe place, for them and with them. For now and for their future.” – Maud de Boer Buquicchio, Chair of the Commission’s Study Group on Online Abuse 

With the internet playing an increasingly central role in young people’s lives, ensuring their protection from online threats has never been more urgent. Pope Francis has consistently emphasized the need for vigilance, ethical responsibility, and collective action to make digital spaces safer for children. Speaking at the Congress on “Child Dignity in the Digital World” in 2019, Pope Francis highlighted the dual nature of digital technology:  

“The challenge before us is to ensure that minors have safe access to these technologies, while at the same time ensuring their healthy and serene development and protecting them from unacceptable criminal violence or grave harm to the integrity of their body and spirit. […] The spread of images of abuse or the exploitation of minors is increasing exponentially, involving ever more serious and violent forms of abuse and ever younger children.” 

To address these challenges, the Vatican has taken decisive steps in regulating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies. The Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence, implemented earlier this year, emphasizes the need for transparency, security, and ethical oversight. These guidelines prohibit AI applications that create social inequalities, violate human dignity, or employ subliminal manipulation techniques that could harm individuals. They also reinforce the importance of data protection and highlight the need for continued monitoring of AI’s impact on society. A critical component of these efforts is the establishment of the Commission on Artificial Intelligence within the Vatican. This five-member body is tasked with ensuring compliance with ethical AI regulations, assessing the risks of AI-based technologies, and proposing necessary safeguards.  

 “Artificial Intelligence will never be able to replace humans and must respect their autonomy. Indeed, AI should serve people, not dominate them, and final decisions must always be made by humans.” 

Another significant Vatican document, Antiqua et Nova, explores the ethical implications of AI and technological advancements, emphasizing the need for a moral framework to guide their use. It highlights both the potential benefits and serious risks of AI, particularly in its ability to manipulate public opinion, exacerbate social inequalities, and threaten fundamental human rights. The document calls for a careful balance between technological progress and the preservation of human dignity. 

The Vatican’s leadership on digital ethics aligns with the broader goals of Safer Internet Day: fostering a secure and inclusive online environment. The Pontifical Commission urges governments, tech firms, educators, and civil society to collaborate in implementing stronger protections for minors. As we mark Safer Internet Day 2025, let us reaffirm our collective responsibility to safeguard children’s dignity and well-being in the digital age. Through ethical policies, technological safeguards, and global cooperation, we can ensure that the internet remains a tool for learning, growth, and positive engagement—free from exploitation and harm.