Page 42 - UN Executive Briefing on Unlocking the potential of virtual worlds and the metaverse for the Sustainable Development Goals
P. 42
UN Executive Briefing on Unlocking the potential of virtual worlds and
the metaverse for the Sustainable Development Goals
Agency name:
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Description of activities:
UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their
rights and help them fulfil their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. And we
never give up.
Project 1: Rapid analysis of The Metaverse, Extended Reality and Children (report)
Tens of millions of children and young people are already active in virtual environments and
game spaces. But how might virtual environments evolve? And how are they likely to impact
children and young adults? This 2023 report considers: the positive and negative effects that
virtual environments could have on children; the drivers of, and predictions for, the growth of
the metaverse; and the regulatory and policy challenges posed by the metaverse. The report
also recommends actions for government and private sector stakeholders to take in order to
empower children and protect against or mitigate potential harms.
Related SDG:
• 3 Good health and well-being
• 4 Quality education
Relevant links:
• The Metaverse, Extended Reality and Children (report) https:// www .unicef .org/ innocenti/
reports/ metaverse -extended -reality -and -children
• 10 things you need to know about the metaverse, extended reality and children https://
www .unicef .org/ innocenti/ stories/ what -happens -children -when -physical -and -virtual
-worlds -merge
Contact:
Steven Vosloo, Digital Foresight and Policy Specialist, UNICEF Innocenti – Global Office of
Research and Foresight, svosloo@ unicef .org
Project 2: UNICEF Policy Guidance on AI for Children
UNICEF led a two-year project to better understand how Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems
can protect, provide for, and empower children. Key to this project was the development of a
guide for creating and implementing AI policies and systems that protect children’s rights and
brings the attention of the public and private sectors to how AI systems impact on children.
To develop the guidance, more than 200 experts were consulted in five regions, and almost
250 children were consulted on AI issues in five countries. The guidance is complemented by
case studies of how to implement it, and short guides for parents and teens. All resources are
in English, French, Spanish and Arabic.
Related SDG:
• SDG 3 Good health and well-being
• SDG 4 Quality education
34
