Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping childhood at an unprecedented pace. Once operating mostly behind the scenes, AI is now front and centre in the apps, platforms and devices that children use every day. Algorithms recommend what videos to watch, what news to read and who to connect with – and increasingly, generative AI systems are creating the very content children consume, even positioning themselves as ‘friends’. From supporting learning to completing homework, AI is becoming an active presence in children’s lives.
Recent evidence highlights rapid adoption while UNICEF research with 12,000 children and their parents/caregivers shows significant divides, particularly across the global South, in access, usage patterns, trust and exposure to risks.
This acceleration brings opportunities to harness – such as improving accessibility for children with disabilities – and urgent risks to address, from AI-generated disinformation to harmful deepfakes and exploitative content. At the same time, children remain largely excluded from shaping the very systems that affect them, especially those in low-resource settings. What’s more, while children are at the forefront of AI use, evidence is lacking on how it affects their social, emotional and cognitive development.
UNICEF is leading global efforts for AI to be designed and governed in the best interests of every child. Through research, policy guidance and advocacy, the organisation is working to urgently close the participation and evidence gaps, and to place children’s rights at the heart of the AI age.
UNICEF’ guidence offers practical recommendations for governments and industry to support child-centred AI policies and systems. It was updated in 2025 to reflect the rapidly changing AI policy and technology landscape.
