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UNICEF AI for Children

UNICEF Policy Guidance on AI for Children (Version 3.0)

Most specific international guidance on children and AI. Ten requirements for child-centered AI including development/wellbeing support, data/privacy protection, and safety.

Jurisdiction

International

Enacted

Pending

Effective

Dec 1, 2025

Enforcement

TBD

UNICEF

Why It Matters

Most detailed children + AI guidance. Increasingly referenced in regulations. Version 3.0 covers generative AI.

At a Glance

Harms addressed

Who Must Comply

  • AI developers, deployers, governments (voluntary)

Safety Provisions

  • Requirement 1: Support children's development and wellbeing
  • Requirement 2: Ensure inclusion
  • Requirement 3: Prioritize fairness and non-discrimination
  • Requirement 4: Protect children's data and privacy
  • Requirement 5: Ensure safety for children
  • Requirement 6: Provide transparency, explainability, accountability
  • Requirement 7: Empower governments and businesses
  • Requirement 8: Prepare children for AI
  • Requirement 9: Create enabling environment
  • Requirement 10: Collaborate globally (added in v3.0)

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International

Focus Areas

Mental health & crisis
Child safety

Cite This

APA

International. (2025). UNICEF Policy Guidance on AI for Children (Version 3.0).

Related Regulations

In Effect INTL

ISO 42001

First certifiable international standard for AI management systems. Uses Plan-Do-Check-Act methodology. Third-party certification available; major AI systems have achieved certification.

In Effect INTL

ISO 23894

AI risk management guidance complementing ISO 31000. Lifecycle risk management; audit/procurement language.

Enacted US-VT

VT AADC

Vermont design code structured to be more litigation-resistant: focuses on data processing harms rather than content-based restrictions. AG rulemaking authority begins July 2025.

Pending US-FL

FL AI Bill of Rights

Establishes an 'AI Bill of Rights' for Floridians including the right to know if communicating with AI, parental controls over minors' AI chatbot access, prohibition on selling user data, disclosure requirements for AI-generated political ads, and protections against unauthorized use of name/image/likeness by AI.

Pending US-FL

FL Companion AI Age Verification

Standalone bill requiring age verification for ALL users (adults and minors) before accessing companion AI chatbots. Requires user account creation, confidential age verification, notifications that user is interacting with AI, and specific actions when user is determined to be a minor including potential access blocking.

In Effect AU-UNION

AU AI Strategy

Continent-wide AI strategy endorsed by African Union Executive Council covering 55 member states. Phased implementation 2025-2030. Phase I (2025-2026) focuses on creating governance frameworks, developing national AI strategies, resource mobilization, and capacity building. Aims to harmonize AI development across Africa while respecting member state sovereignty.

Last updated January 22, 2026. Verify against primary sources before relying on this information.