Me & AI: Children and Young People's Report

Key Findings

• — Chatbots are the most-used AI tool among the children consulted: 58% report using them, ahead of social media (52%), translation tools (32%), games (26%) and AI tutors (25%).
• — 14% use AI to talk about their feelings, 10% to find help when they feel unsafe, scared or uncomfortable, 18% to chat with friends and family, and 17% say AI helps them feel listened to or understood.
• — Four in ten say AI already causes children to spend less time with friends or family; 14% think it helps them spend more or better time together and 28% are unsure.
• — Children say AI should never replace family time (69%), teachers (66%), friendships (61%) or decisions made by humans (59%); 41% say the same of doctors and therapists.
• — 52% want stronger laws and regulations to make AI safe for children and 52% want better protection of privacy and personal information; 58% want to learn how to stay safe when using AI.
• — Reference Group members linked children's use of AI for emotional support to isolation, loneliness and a lack of meaningful human connection.

Methodology Notes

Global online survey of 1,128 children aged 10 to 17 in 49 countries, distributed through partner organisations as an open consultation; it is not a probability sample and no response rate or country breakdown is reported. Findings were reviewed in two focus-group discussions with the 13-member Children and Young People's Reference Group drawn from the advisory boards of the Child and Youth Friendly Governance Project and 5Rights Foundation. Fieldwork dates are not stated. Published 2026-07-05 (landing-page publication date); the 26-page PDF carries a creation date of 2026-07-03 and author metadata 'The Child Friendly Governance Project'.

Sources