The United Nations Children’s Fund has called for stronger regulation and enhanced safety measures as more children around the world adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies.
The appeal was made in a statement issued on Tuesday ahead of the first Global Dialogue on AI Governance, scheduled to hold in Geneva, Switzerland, on July 6 and 7, 2026.
UNICEF said AI is rapidly transforming childhood globally, with new evidence showing both the growing use of the technology by children and the risks associated with it.
According to the agency’s analysis of data from 10 countries, at least 20 million children have already used AI, with young users adopting the technology at a rate more than three times faster than adults.
The report also found that more than 2 million children, representing one in every 10, rely on AI for advice about personal concerns, while about 13 million children use it to support learning and complete school assignments.
“As children’s use of AI accelerates, the rules that govern its use — including protections for children — are struggling to keep up,” UNICEF said.
The agency warned that children are increasingly exposed to AI systems, including how their personal data is collected and used, yet have little control over or ability to challenge these systems.
UNICEF urged governments, technology companies and other stakeholders to prioritise child safety in AI governance by investing in research on AI’s impact on children’s development and well-being, strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks, improving corporate accountability, and promoting AI literacy among children, parents and caregivers.
The agency also called for AI systems to be developed with stronger safety standards and greater transparency, while advocating increased investment in digital infrastructure and meaningful internet access to help bridge the AI gap within and between countries.
