Children and Adolescents in the Age of Generative AI

Artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping the digital environments in which children and young people grow up – often in ways that remain invisible. This white paper provides a systematic, evidence-based analysis of the risks associated with AI in young people's internet use, focusing on generative systems, recommendation algorithms, AI companions, and synthetic media. The paper was commissioned by the Luxembourg Ministry of Education and is the result of an interdisciplinary collaboration between the University of Luxembourg Institute for Digital Ethics (ULIDE), the Luxembourg Centre for Educational Testing (LUCET), and the Centre for Childhood and Youth Research (CCY). Alongside the broader risk landscape, it examines implications for schools and draws on Luxembourg-specific data on digital competence and vulnerable groups. A dedicated analysis of BEE SECURE's prevention and awareness work identifies current strengths and gaps, leading to six strategic recommendations for adapting existing structures to emerging AI-related risks.