The United Nations Children’s Fund is demanding adequate safety measures and strict regulation, citing children’s increasing adoption of Artificial Intelligence technologies.
UNICEF made the call in a statement on Tuesday ahead of the first Global Dialogue on AI Governance scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, on 6 and 7 July 2026.
Noting that AI is shaping childhood worldwide, the UN agency said new evidence is revealing the scale and speed of its uptake by children, while exposing the risks and divides emerging.
UNICEF analysis of data from 10 countries estimates that at least 20 million children have used AI, with many outpacing adults by adopting it at rates more than three times faster.
According to UNICEF, over 2 million children — or 1 in 10 — admit they turn to AI for advice on things that worry them. About 13 million children said they use it for learning and homework.
“As children’s use of AI accelerates, the rules that govern its use — including protections for children — are struggling to keep up,” the statement reads.
It emphasized that children are more exposed to AI systems — including their underlying business models and how their own data is used — but have no power to avoid or challenge them.
UNICEF urges governments, the private sector, and partners to embed child safety and protection in AI governance by researching AI’s impact on children’s development, well-being, and the risks.
Others are strengthening laws, governance frameworks, and corporate accountability; building AI literacy and providing support for minors, parents, and caregivers to thrive in the digital environment.
UNICEF wants AI systems to be designed with maximum safety and transparency, to enable all children to have a chance to be protected while benefiting from opportunities.
The agency also advocates investment in digital infrastructure and meaningful connectivity to allow children, parents, and caregivers to close the AI divide between and within countries.
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