Inteligencia Artificial (IA)
Digital Child Protection: Spain, Ukraine, and Romania Against Online Violence and AI Challenges - Maldita.es
Gianro Compagno
2025-09-18
5 min read
**Digital Violence Against Minors: Challenges, Solutions, and the Key Role of Education and Culture**
Digital violence affecting children and adolescents is a constantly evolving phenomenon, driven by technological advancements and the proliferation of connected devices. From cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content to sexual exploitation and image manipulation through artificial intelligence, risks are multiplying and require comprehensive and coordinated responses.
**Current Landscape: Growing Risks and Insufficient Responses**
The figures are alarming: 80% of European children aged 9 to 16 use their mobile phones daily, and connection time continues to increase. Cyberbullying affects more than half of minors in countries like Spain and Romania, while the creation and dissemination of AI-manipulated intimate images has become a real and everyday threat. Digital violence does not rest: it operates 24/7, and its emotional and psychological consequences are deep and lasting.
Despite the seriousness of the problem, institutional and social responses remain insufficient. Families and educators feel overwhelmed, legislation is slow to progress, and major tech platforms barely take responsibility. The lack of a culture of trust and awareness hinders reporting and early intervention, while digital education is barely present in school curricula.
**Solutions from Culture and Education**
In response to this landscape, innovative initiatives are emerging that combine culture, technology, and training to prevent and address digital violence. In Spain, participatory theater has established itself as an effective tool to raise awareness and empower young people. Works like "Aulas" or "Girls Like That" allow audiences to experience firsthand the dynamics of bullying and the non-consensual dissemination of images, generating empathy and reflection. These proposals are complemented by educational materials and subsequent debates that reinforce learning and facilitate educational intervention.
Other organizations, such as PDA Bullying, use series, novels, and teaching guides to address topics like power, online humiliation, and responsible technology use in the classroom. Research shows that combining cultural resources and participatory activities improves minors' understanding and response capacity in risky situations.
Training programs aimed at families, teachers, and students, such as E-tic, Campus Fad, or Te pongo un reto, practically address digital risks and promote conscious and safe internet use. However, the lack of integration into curricula and limited funding restrict their reach and sustainability.
**The Challenge of Artificial Intelligence and Misinformation**
The emergence of artificial intelligence has multiplied the challenges. The creation of deepfakes and manipulation of intimate images severely impacts minors' mental health and complicates the distinction between reality and fiction. Additionally, the ease of access to these tools by adolescents exacerbates the problem and demands urgent educational and legislative responses.
Experts and victims agree on the need for greater media literacy for both young people and their families. Training must go beyond mere warnings and focus on developing critical skills, managing privacy, and fostering trust to seek help.
**Intervention and Reporting Models: The Example of Romania and Ukraine**
In Romania and Ukraine, various organizations have launched reporting hotlines, support platforms, and media literacy programs. Initiatives like "Ora de Net" by Save the Children or StopCrime in Ukraine allow anonymous reporting of cases of abuse and digital violence, facilitating intervention by authorities and the removal of illegal content.
The involvement of young people as ambassadors and collaboration with cyber police have proven effective strategies for increasing trust and the effectiveness of responses. However, the lack of resources and the overload of school counselors remain significant obstacles.
**The Role of Legislation and Regulation**
The European Union has made significant strides with the Digital Services Act (DSA), which establishes obligations for platforms in protecting minors and moderating content. Spain is advancing with bills that criminalize the creation of AI-generated sexual content and strengthen age verification and parental control mechanisms. Romania and Ukraine have also updated their legal frameworks, although effective implementation remains a challenge, especially against global platforms.
The prohibition of mobile phones in classrooms is another debated measure. While some studies show a reduction in bullying following its implementation, experts insist that digital education is key to lasting change, beyond technological restrictions.
**Conclusion: Towards a Culture of Protection and Trust**
The fight against digital violence requires a multidimensional approach that combines education, culture, technology, and legislation. It is essential to equip children, families, and educators with tools and knowledge to identify, prevent, and report risky situations. Creating a culture of trust, where minors feel heard and supported, is as important as having laws and reporting platforms.
The challenge is enormous and constantly changing, but the experience of countries like Spain, Romania, and Ukraine demonstrates that collaboration between institutions, civil society, and the private sector can make a difference. Only then can we build safer, more inclusive, and supportive digital environments for future generations.