Beyond algorithms: Three signals of changing AI-child interaction
Children's experience of technology could be at risk of significant change due to their interaction with chatbots, UNICEF has said, due to their global availability, persuasive power, and greater sycophancy compared to humans.
While AI chatbots could be used for learning or as entertainment, they also collect personal and intimate data with unclear processing or opt-out policies.
Children’s beliefs and sense of identity may be heavily shaped by these systems, and unknown biases in the chatbot could have dramatic consequences, the organisation warned.
UNICEF recommends urgent regulation of AI systems through clear age limits, informed consent rules, transparency about AI use, restrictions on persuasive techniques, and strong data protection laws.
Publication: UNICEF
Writer: Steven Vosloo and Cecile Aptel