UN urges regulation as more children adopt AI technologies

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 c​ountries estimates that at least 20 million children have used A​I, 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​ research​ing 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 invest​ment in digital infrastructure and meaningful connectivity ​to allow children, parents​, and caregiver​s to close the AI divide between and within countries.