UNICEF: 20 Million Children Are Using Artificial Intelligence Amid Growing Concerns Among Children and Parents
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned of the unprecedented rise in children's use of artificial intelligence (AI), stressing that these technologies have become an integral part of children's lives while laws and child protection measures continue to lag behind the rapid pace of technological development.
In a report released on Tuesday, UNICEF revealed that at least 20 million children across ten countries are now using AI applications. Children are adopting the technology at a rate more than three times faster than adults. More than two million children use AI to seek advice on personal issues, while approximately 13 million children rely on it to support their learning and complete school assignments.
Despite the opportunities AI offers in education, creativity, and learning, UNICEF highlighted growing concerns among children and parents over the risks of fraud, misinformation, privacy violations, and the manipulation of photos and videos to create deceptive content that could expose children to exploitation and abuse.
According to the report, one-third of children surveyed expressed concern about AI being used for fraud and deception, while one in four feared that their images or videos could be manipulated to produce fake sexually explicit content.
UNICEF emphasized that children are the group most affected by AI technologies, despite having the least influence over the policies governing them. The organization called for children's rights and safety to be placed at the center of global AI governance.
The agency also urged governments and technology companies to strengthen legislation, invest in research on AI's impact on children, improve digital literacy among children and parents, design AI systems that are safer and more transparent, and ensure that all children have access to a secure and equitable digital environment.
UNICEF concluded by stressing that the decisions the world makes today regarding the governance and regulation of artificial intelligence will shape children's safety, privacy, and digital rights for decades to come.
