A survey conducted by the UK Safer Internet Centre and Nominet has revealed significant concerns among British teenagers regarding the potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) for creating inappropriate images. The survey, which included responses from 2,000 parents and equal numbers of young people aged between eight and 17, found that 60% of young people are apprehensive about AI technology being weaponized to generate inappropriate content, highlighting a growing anxiety among this demographic as technology evolves.

Among the findings, more than one in ten adolescents aged 13 to 17 reported witnessing their peers using AI to generate sexual images and videos of others. This trend raises alarms, indicating that not only are teenagers aware of the dangers posed by AI, but some are also encountering or engaging in its misuse firsthand. The data underscores the urgent need for discussions around digital safety and the responsible use of technology to prevent such exploitative practices.

The survey results come in the wake of the UK’s data protection authority launching a formal investigation into platforms including X and xAI for their compliance with British laws concerning privacy and protection against harmful content. As the usage of AI grows among teenagers, these findings stress the necessity for stronger regulatory measures to safeguard young users from being victimized by technology designed to manipulate and exploit their images.