Nearly all (97%) young people in the UK, aged 8 to 17, are using AI tools, with the majority (58%) saying the technology makes their lives better.

However, three in five (60%) worry that AI may be used to make inappropriate pictures of them, showing the disturbing awareness young people have around malicious AI risks, as well as their juxtaposing views on the technology’s impact on their lives.

This is based on research carried out by Nominet and the UK Safer Internet Centre, which polled 2000 young people and 2000 parents and carers in the UK concerning their feelings surrounding AI.

The research revealed that young people are turning to AI for a range of reasons. About two thirds (64%) say that AI is the best way they can get advice quickly. About two in five (41%) say that their peers are increasingly relying on AI for emotional support and to discuss emotional issues.

Nearly one in seven (14%) turn to AI as a confidant, saying they turn to AI to discuss topics they are not comfortable talking about with anyone else.

Seven in ten (71%) say that AI saves them time, a more practical reason explaining the appeal of AI.

About three quarters (73%) of children say that AI is useful for their studies, with about half (54%) using AI to aid them in their homework or revision. About half (50%) of young people have said that they have seen their peers use AI to complete their school work for them, rather than to help them.

Parents, it seems, are largely unaware of this issue, as only 31% thing that their children are using AI for schoolwork.

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Still, parents and young people are quick to realise potential cons to using AI: a third of parents are worried about AI’s effect on their children’s critical thinking. Young people are concerned that AI is making their friends less creative (49%), with 35% fearing the same about themselves.

“Young people wanted us to focus on the safe and responsible use of AI this year, because its adoption into our everyday lives is moving quickly,” Will Gardner, OBE, UK Safer Internet Centre Director, said. ”

“Our research shows how young people are excited by this incredible technology and are using it more than ever across many online services, but they still have concerns, questions and want to learn more to equip themselves to use AI safely and responsibly.