Children are racing ahead with AI
If it feels like your child is asking ChatGPT more questions than they ask you, you're probably not imagining it.
A new UNICEF analysis suggests children are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) at a pace far beyond adults, raising important questions about how families can safely navigate a future where AI is becoming part of everyday childhood.
According to UNICEF, children are adopting AI technologies at more than three times the rate of adults, with an estimated 20 million children across 10 countries already using AI tools.
While many are relying on AI to help with schoolwork, others are also turning to it for advice, emotional support and answers to personal concerns.
"AI is here. It is a growing part of all of our lives. And it is already shaping childhood around the world – for better and for worse," UNICEF said in a statement.
The organisation said emerging evidence is revealing both the scale and speed of AI adoption among children, while also highlighting the challenges of ensuring young users are protected in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
According to the report, around 13 million children use AI to support learning and homework.
At the same time, more than two million children — roughly one in 10 surveyed — said they turn to AI for advice about things that worry them.
While AI has the potential to make learning more engaging and accessible, it also means some children are increasingly relying on technology for guidance that was once sought from parents, teachers or trusted adults.
UNICEF warned that the rapid adoption of AI is happening much faster than the safeguards designed to protect children.
"As children's use of AI accelerates, the rules that govern its use – including protections for children – are struggling to keep up."
Growing up at AI speed
Today's children are the first generation growing up with AI integrated into everyday life, from search engines and homework assistants to chatbots and creative tools.
While the technology presents exciting opportunities, UNICEF cautioned that researchers are only beginning to understand its long-term impact on children's development and wellbeing.
"While AI has potential to bring opportunities for children to learn, play, or be creative, evidence about its role in cognitive development, emotional dependency, and exposure to harm is just emerging. In effect, a generation is growing up inside a global experiment."
Children themselves are also aware of the potential risks. According to UNICEF, one in three children surveyed expressed concern that AI could be used to scam or deceive people or spread misinformation.
Meanwhile, one in four worried that their images or videos could be manipulated into sexually explicit deepfakes, highlighting growing anxieties around online safety.
UNICEF noted, "Too many systems are reaching children with no guardrails – safety, seemingly, an afterthought."
Rather than viewing AI simply as something to fear or ban, the findings suggest families have an important role to play in helping children develop healthy digital habits.
Open conversations about how AI works, encouraging children to question rather than blindly trust AI-generated answers, and reminding them never to share personal information with chatbots can all help young users navigate the technology more safely.
UNICEF is also calling on governments and technology companies to place children's rights at the centre of AI development by strengthening regulations, improving AI safety, investing in research, boosting digital literacy and ensuring children can access technology safely and equitably.
"This is a decisive moment. The choices made about AI now will shape children's safety, privacy, well-being, and their equal access to opportunities for decades to come."
