Nominet and Childnet (as part of the UK Safer Internet Centre) have published research examining how children and young people in the UK are using AI. The report explores how safe young people feel when using AI and identifies the changes needed to support safe and responsible use. The report draws on survey data from 2,000 parents and 2,000 children aged 8-17, alongside focus groups with schoolchildren.

According to the research, nearly all young people aged 8 to 17 (97%) have used AI in some form; 60% of young people are worried about someone using AI to make inappropriate pictures of them, with 65% of parents and carers echoing this concern; and 75% of 8- to 17-year-olds think the government should make more rules so that AI companies keep children safe.

The report highlights that 41% teens feel like people their age are relying heavily on AI for emotional support or help with emotional issues, while most one in seven (14%) say they use AI tools to discuss things they don’t feel they can talk to anyone else about.

The report includes calls for the government to ensure schools have adequate support for online safety education that keeps pace with the changing nature of AI technology and young people’s use of it.