UNICEF warns of rapid rise in AI use among minors, calls for greater protection

UNICEF has issued a stark warning regarding the accelerating use of artificial intelligence among children worldwide, highlighting a significant gap in governmental preparedness and protective frameworks.

The UN agency for children reports that AI is increasingly integrated into children's lives, influencing them both positively and negatively. Based on data from ten countries, UNICEF estimates that at least 20 million children have engaged with AI tools. The adoption rate among minors is more than three times that of adults in these regions, which include Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico.

Further analysis reveals that over two million children, or one in ten in the surveyed countries, use AI to seek information on personal concerns. Approximately 13 million children utilize AI as a support tool for schoolwork. UNICEF cautions that children are "especially exposed to AI systems," from their design to data usage, often without sufficient capacity to mitigate or question the effects. This makes them "more vulnerable to risks of privacy, misinformation, or abuse."

The agency also points to potential adverse effects on cognitive and emotional development, as well as the risk of dependency on these tools, noting that scientific evidence in this area is still emerging. Among the specific risks identified by children themselves are concerns about fraud, information manipulation, and the creation of false or sexualized content through deepfakes.

In response to this evolving landscape, UNICEF urges governments and companies to strengthen regulations, enhance transparency, and prioritize child safety in the design of AI systems. This call comes ahead of the first Global AI Governance Dialogue scheduled for July 6-7 in Geneva.