Key Takeaways
- An estimated 20 million children worldwide have used AI, adopting the technology more than three times faster than adults.
- Around two million children (about one in ten) turn to AI for advice on personal worries, while 13 million rely on it for schoolwork and homework.
- Children are acutely aware of AI‑related risks: one‑third fear scams or misinformation, and one‑quarter worry about deep‑fake manipulation of their images or videos.
- UNICEF describes the current situation as a “global experiment” on childhood, urging governments and tech firms to prioritize children’s rights in AI governance.
- The agency calls for stronger safeguards against sexual exploitation, increased research on developmental impacts, safer and more transparent AI systems, improved digital literacy, and broader access to prevent an AI‑driven divide.
AI Adoption Among Children Soars
According to fresh data gathered from ten countries, UNICEF estimates that at least 20 million children have interacted with artificial intelligence, a figure that underscores how swiftly the younger generation is embracing the technology. The agency notes that young people are adopting AI “at rates more than three times faster than adults,” signaling a profound shift in how children engage with digital tools. This rapid uptake spans everything from conversational agents to image‑generation apps, positioning AI as a routine part of daily life for many youths worldwide.
Children Turn to AI for Personal Advice
Perhaps the most striking finding is that an estimated two million children – roughly one in ten – said they turn to AI for advice about things that worry them. In a statement released on Tuesday, UNICEF highlighted this trend, quoting the agency’s own words: “AI is here. It is a growing part of all of our lives.” The reliance on AI for emotional support suggests that children are not only using the technology for factual queries but also seeking reassurance or guidance from algorithms when confronting anxiety, peer pressure, or other personal concerns.
AI as a Homework Helper
Beyond personal counseling, AI is proving to be a substantial aid in academic settings. UNICEF reports that 13 million children have used AI to help with schoolwork and homework. Whether it involves solving math problems, generating essay outlines, or translating foreign language texts, the technology is becoming an informal tutor for a significant portion of the student population. This educational utility, however, comes with caveats about over‑reliance and the potential erosion of critical thinking skills if not balanced with traditional learning methods.
UNICEF Calls AI a Global Experiment on Childhood
Reflecting on the broader implications, UNICEF warned that “In effect, a generation is growing up inside a global experiment.” The agency’s statement framed the current AI boom as an uncontrolled trial on children’s development, emotional well‑being, and exposure to harm. Because rigorous evidence on long‑term effects remains scarce, the organization urged stakeholders to treat the situation with caution, recognizing that today’s interactions with AI could shape tomorrow’s adult outcomes in ways that are still largely unknown.
Children’s Awareness of Risks and Concerns
Despite their enthusiasm, children are not blind to the dangers posed by AI. Survey results show that one‑third of those surveyed expressed concern that AI could be used to scam people or spread misinformation, while one‑quarter feared their images or videos could be manipulated into sexually explicit deepfakes. These anxieties reflect a growing media literacy among youths, who recognize that the same tools that empower learning can also be weaponized for exploitation or deception. Their awareness underscores the importance of involving children directly in conversations about safeguards and ethical design.
UNICEF’s Call for Protective Regulation
Ahead of the first Global Dialogue on AI Governance, UNICEF is urging governments and technology firms to place children’s rights at the centre of AI regulation. The agency’s recommendations include: stronger protections against AI‑enabled sexual exploitation; greater investment in research on AI’s impact on child development; the creation of safer, more transparent AI systems; improved digital literacy for both children and parents; and expanded digital access to prevent a widening AI divide. UNICEF emphasized that “The choices made about AI now will shape children’s safety, privacy, well-being and their equal access to opportunities for decades to come.”
The Stakes for Future Generations
The convergence of rapid adoption, genuine utility, and palpable risk places children at a pivotal juncture in the AI era. While the technology offers unprecedented opportunities for learning, creativity, and emotional support, it simultaneously exposes young users to harms that regulators and developers are only beginning to understand. By heeding UNICEF’s call—grounded in data, quotes from children themselves, and a precautionary ethos—policymakers and industry leaders can help ensure that the AI experiment unfolding today yields benefits rather than lasting detriment for the world’s youngest citizens.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/06/1167841