What scams and misinformation concerns did UNICEF find among surveyed children?

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UNICEF Survey Reveals Significant Concerns Among Children Regarding AI-Driven Scams and Misinformation

A recent survey conducted by the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) across 10 countries has highlighted significant anxieties among children regarding the potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI). A substantial one-third of the surveyed children expressed worries about AI being employed for fraudulent activities and the dissemination of false information. Furthermore, a quarter of these children voiced fears about their personal images or videos being manipulated into sexually explicit deepfakes.
Concerns About Deception and False Information

The Unicef findings indicate that a third of children in the surveyed nations are apprehensive about AI's capacity to facilitate scams and trickery. This concern extends to the broader issue of misinformation, suggesting children are aware of AI's potential to spread untruths and manipulate perceptions. These anxieties point to a developing understanding among young people about the deceptive capabilities of advanced technology.
Fear of Deepfake Exploitation

Beyond scams and misinformation, a quarter of the children surveyed reported a specific fear related to deepfakes. They are concerned about their images or videos being altered and used to create sexually explicit content. This highlights a critical vulnerability for children in the digital age, where personal likenesses can be weaponised without consent.
Broader Exposure and Limited Agency

The survey underscores that children are increasingly exposed to AI systems, from their design to how their data is utilised. However, Unicef notes that children possess considerably less power to avoid or challenge these systems compared to adults. This imbalance means children are disproportionately affected by the consequences of weak AI governance and are likely to experience these effects for longer periods.
Call for Enhanced AI Governance for Children

In response to these findings, Unicef is urging governments, the private sector, and partners to prioritise child rights within global AI governance frameworks. This includes advocating for increased investment in research on AI's risks to children, strengthening legal protections against AI-enabled sexual exploitation, and ensuring AI systems are designed with safety and transparency in mind. The agency also stresses the importance of building AI literacy among young people and addressing the digital divide to ensure equitable access and understanding.

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What scams and misinformation concerns did UNICEF find among surveyed children?

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