The report covered Armenia, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Jordan, Mexico, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Pakistan and Serbia. It found that three in four parents or guardians have never used AI themselves.
Dr. Karol Jachymek, a media scholar and head of the Media Practices Observatory at SWPS University, called the generational gap between children and parents "unfortunately very large", saying the figures show how AI's arrival has reshaped everyday internet habits.
Jachymek pushed back on the idea that children are inherently "digital natives" simply because they grew up surrounded by technology, calling that notion a myth.
The UNICEF report found that one in 10 children turns to AI as a confidant during difficult or upsetting moments. Jachymek said that finding "may seem like a fairly troubling perspective, especially considering that AI tools are sometimes designed to create a sense of acceptance and sustained relationship".
He added that digital tools are not only a cause of behavior but sometimes a symptom of it. "Why does a child talk to AI about personal matters? The answer may be uncomfortable for us, because it also speaks to the state of our family and social relationships", he said, noting that some young people spend heavy time online because of difficult circumstances offline, and that the internet can serve as an escape from problems — sometimes a risky one.
According to the report, children themselves recognize risks posed by AI. About a third fear the technology could be used for fraud, financial scams or spreading disinformation, while a quarter said they worry their private photos or videos could be manipulated into deepfake pornography.
Jachymek noted that other research, including Poland's EU Kids Online 2026 report, shows young people struggle with critical thinking and verifying content online — but he cautioned against framing that as a problem unique to children. "I think the problem of disinformation affects everyone", he said.
The UNICEF report also found that 13 million children use AI to help with schoolwork. Jachymek said the impact of that trend is not clear-cut, since some students use AI to complete homework "thoughtlessly", generating essays or answers without engaging in the learning process. He said the picture looks different when AI functions as an interactive learning partner — a tool for brainstorming, sparking creativity or helping students grasp complex topics. Heavy use of AI for homework, he added, also raises questions about whether school systems are adapted to students' needs and realities.
Jachymek endorsed UNICEF's recommendations calling for stronger oversight of the technology companies developing AI models, including a "safety by design" approach requiring AI systems to undergo safety testing for users, including children, before public release rather than after.
He said three pillars are essential going forward: legislation and oversight of major tech companies, systemic media literacy education in schools, and funding for independent research to better understand AI's role in society.
The UNICEF study was conducted in 2024 and 2025, surveying about 1,000 internet-using children ages 12 to 17 and 1,000 parents or guardians in each of the 10 countries. Final estimates were weighted against United Nations global demographic data for 2024.
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Source: PAP