The use of the internet by children has become a growing global issue, evidenced by several studies that intensive use of digital platforms leads to decreased concentration and increased social isolation, with behavioral changes affecting academic achievement in various countries. In Jordan, the situation was not much different as local studies showed negative behavioral, educational, and social effects on children, leading to a decline in their ability to concentrate. About six out of ten children who use the internet have turned into (digital strangers): children who become socially isolated in real life as a result of immersing themselves in the virtual world at the expense of interacting with family and peers. Cases of digital addiction have been observed, which warn of psychological and educational harm to children, making the issue not just individual behavior, but a structural crisis that requires comprehensive solutions combining legislation, technology, and education.
In response to these risks, the Jordanian Cabinet approved the formation of a national committee to protect children and adolescents from the risks of communication platforms and the internet. The committee aims to establish a comprehensive framework for regulating children's access to the internet, taking into account the cognitive ability of each age group. One of the fundamental principles that the committee seeks to achieve is considering the age of 14 years as a stage wherein a child can understand concepts of digital identity and safe internet usage. Undoubtedly, criminal responsibility rests on the digital platform that allows the registration of children or trades harmful content, as the family alone does not bear responsibility, reflecting an important shift in the relationship between the state, society, and digital platforms. This approach allows parents to focus on digital education to teach children to manage their digital time, understand algorithms, and critical thinking.
The overall perspective revolves around superstructures that represent an integrated analytical framework for digitally protecting children. At the legislative level, the state imposes binding standards on platforms for age verification and legal accountability of companies in case of violations. At the technical level, artificial intelligence tools are developed to detect risky behaviors and harmful content and send alerts to parents or schools, ensuring effective preventive monitoring.
Economically, fines imposed on non-compliant companies (ranging from 2–4% of global revenues) are transferred to funds supporting education and health, turning digital risks into sustainable developmental opportunities and creating a new digital protection market for children. Digital education complements these superstructures, helping children to recognize safe usage methods, distinguish between accurate and misleading information, and manage time in a balanced way.
In my opinion, protecting children in the digital age is a comprehensive national and societal responsibility. Integrating law, technology, education, and economics creates a safe, aware, and sustainable digital environment that gives children the opportunity to learn and be creative without risking harm. Thus, Jordan becomes a living model for how to protect future generations in the digital world, by redefining the relationship between the state, family, and digital platform, and building a digitally aware and responsible generation capable of facing the challenges of the digital age with confidence and knowledge, and contributing to the development of a sustainable digital society for all.
