DELHI — UNICEF released a statement on June 30, 2026, urging governments and technology companies to prioritize children's rights in artificial intelligence regulation ahead of the first Global Dialogue on AI Governance. The UN agency estimates that at least 20 million children have used artificial intelligence, based on data from 10 countries, and states that young people are adopting the technology at rates more than three times faster than adults. "AI is here. It is a growing part of all of our lives," UNICEF said.

Among those using AI, an estimated two million children, or one in 10, reported turning to artificial intelligence for advice on personal worries. Additionally, 13 million children indicated using artificial intelligence to assist with schoolwork and homework. "It is already shaping childhood around the world – for better and for worse," UNICEF stated. "In effect, a generation is growing up inside a global experiment."

Children surveyed expressed concerns regarding the technology's potential misuse. One-third of surveyed children were concerned that artificial intelligence could be used to scam people or spread misinformation. Furthermore, one-quarter of the children surveyed feared their images or videos could be manipulated into sexually explicit deepfakes. UNICEF stated, "The choices made about AI now will shape children's safety, privacy, well-being and their equal access to opportunities for decades to come."

Why It Matters

The UNICEF statement highlights the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence by children globally, with millions already using AI for various purposes, including academic assistance and personal advice. This widespread use by a younger demographic, alongside expressed concerns about potential risks such as misinformation and deepfakes, indicates a need for regulatory frameworks. The call for prioritizing children's rights in AI regulation comes as the first Global Dialogue on AI Governance approaches, representing an international effort to establish guidelines for the development and deployment of artificial intelligence.