At least 20 million children across ten countries have used artificial intelligence, according to a new analysis from UNICEF, with young people adopting the technology at a pace far exceeding that of adults. The UN children's agency found that children are adopting AI more than three times faster than adults, based on data from the surveyed nations.
The findings reveal that over 2 million children—roughly one in ten—said they turn to AI for advice on personal worries. An estimated 13 million children reported using AI tools to support their learning and homework. This rapid uptake, UNICEF warns, is outstripping efforts to regulate the technology, leaving children particularly vulnerable.
“Children are more exposed to AI systems—including how they are designed, their underlying business models, and how their own data is used—yet have far less power to avoid or challenge them,” the agency stated. It added that “most AI governance does not prioritise children.”
Growing Up Inside a Global Experiment
UNICEF also cautioned that the long-term effects of AI on young people remain largely unknown. “Evidence about its role in cognitive development, emotional dependency, and exposure to harm is just emerging,” the agency said. “In effect, a generation is growing up inside a global experiment.”
Children themselves have expressed unease. According to the analysis, a third of children in the surveyed countries said they were worried about AI being used “to scam and trick others, or spread misinformation,” while a quarter feared having their images or videos manipulated into sexually explicit deepfakes. UNICEF noted that many AI systems reach children with inadequate protections, describing safety as “seemingly, an afterthought.”
The findings come ahead of the first Global Dialogue on AI Governance at the United Nations. UNICEF is urging governments, the private sector, and other partners to embed children’s rights—particularly the right to safety and protection—into global AI governance. The agency recommends investing in research into AI’s effects on children’s development and well-being, especially the risks.
Across Europe, the issue resonates strongly. In countries like France, Germany, and Spain, where digital literacy programs are expanding, the rapid adoption of AI by children raises questions about oversight. For instance, EDF invests €80 million to cool French schools amid intensifying heatwaves, highlighting how infrastructure must adapt to new challenges—including those posed by technology. Similarly, heat stress threatens 130 million workers across Europe, ETUI warns, underscoring the need for comprehensive policy responses to emerging risks.
The lack of tailored safeguards for children in AI systems is a growing concern. Unlike adults, children may not fully understand how their data is used or how to challenge harmful outcomes. UNICEF’s call for action is a reminder that as AI becomes embedded in daily life, the rights of the youngest users must not be overlooked.
