First step to limit artificial intelligence for Catalan minors

BarcelonaThis week, the Government will take the first step to tighten current regulations with the aim of combating health problems derived from intensive screen exposure that affects young people. On Tuesday, the Catalan executive will approve the preliminary report for the draft bill on digital well-being and the protection of children and adolescents in digital environments, which will provide a legal framework to move forward with measures such as the limitation of artificial intelligence among minors.

The President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, had already detailed that the regulation provides that, for children under 14, only introductory literacy in artificial intelligence should be taught without allowing its direct use; for young people between 14 and 18, its use will be allowed as long as they have prior family authorization and teacher guidance, and it will not be until the age of 18 that the use of these tools will be completely autonomous. Illa stated at the time that he would promote a law to turn recommendations into "enforceable and lasting" rules that do not depend on who is governing. "These [harmful] effects of screens are in the day-to-day of medical consultations, classrooms, and homes," the president emphasized.

Before this limitation arrives, however, the law must progress. For now, the Government will hold a public consultation to incorporate contributions from citizens and organizations. Once the public consultation process ends, the executive will analyze the contributions and begin drafting the articulated text of the future law. Miquel Sàmper, Minister of Business and Labor, defends the importance of having a regulatory framework that reinforces "the protection of minors online" and promotes "safer digital environments in the face of the impact of social media and new systems based on artificial intelligence".

All of this comes after the publication of a new guide of recommendations for responsible and conscious digitalization regarding the impact on health during youth by the Department of Health, based on some 700 unique reviews of international scientific literature. Among the different actions, the Catalan executive plans to implement screening in primary care to detect addiction risks up to age 15, recommend a digital plan for families, subsidies to incorporate Catalan into video games, and a national pact against hate speech.

Consequences of screen exposure

Regarding the screenings that will be carried out in primary care, in case they are positive, pediatricians will assess warning signs and, if any are detected, specific guidelines will be given and follow-up will be carried out from primary and community care. If the case is serious, the child will be referred to specialized mental health and addiction services. The consequences of exposure to screens vary according to the life stage, but the combination of risks over the years can favor the appearance of pathologies, some of them irreversible, among children and adolescents.

From 0 to 6 years of age, the inappropriate use of technology can cause children to start speaking later, develop myopia, or have motor difficulties. Between 7 and 11 years of age, it can worsen sleep, favor overweight and the appearance of cavities, and affect academic performance. And from 12 to 18 years of age, it can increase emotional distress, distort body image, and increase vulnerability to patterns of violence and harassment, both inside and outside social networks.