97 per cent of young people are using AI but more than half fear it could be used against them

New survey-led research

New research has been released to mark Safer Internet Day 2026. It reveals that 97 per cent of young people aged 8–17 across the UK now use AI tools. 58 per cent say it improves their lives, but 60 per cent worry that someone will use it to create inappropriate images of them. This highlights the growing concerns about online safety.

Nominet and the UK Safer Internet Centre commissioned the study, based on surveys of 2,000 young people and 2,000 parents. It highlighted how AI is becoming deeply embedded in daily life.

Seven in ten (71 per cent) said it saves them time and 64 per cent view it as the quickest way to access advice. A significant minority also turn to AI for personal support. 14 per cent use AI tools to discuss things they feel unable to share with anyone else.

But alongside the benefits, many feel AI is affecting creativity and learning. Almost half of young people (49 per cent) believe it is making their age group less creative. 35 per cent say it has reduced their own creativity. Parents share similar concerns, with one in three (33 per cent) worried about AI’s impact on children’s thinking and development.

AI is also playing a growing role in schoolwork. Three‑quarters (73 per cent) of young people find AI helpful for studying. 54 per cent use it to support homework. Yet 50 per cent say they’ve seen peers use AI to complete schoolwork for them. This is a much higher figure than parents realise with only 31 per cent believing their children use AI for homework at all.

Commenting on the findings, Will Gardner OBE, director of the UK Safer Internet Centre, said:

“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.

“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.

“Thousands of schools and other organisations are taking part in Safer Internet Day, and we hope this kickstarts conversations in classrooms and homes around the UK and helps young people be better supported when it comes to AI.”

Paul Fletcher, CEO of Nominet, said:

“This pace of change hasn’t been witnessed since the industrial revolution, so it’s essential we all get to grips with the possibilities and challenges that come with AI.

“It’s great that young people remain positive about the possibilities AI will bring them – but they are still concerned about the potential risks.

“No matter how quickly technology changes today’s normal, we should all take steps to ensure young people can benefit from AI – and parents don’t get left behind either.”

Responding to this new research, Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“School leaders are concerned about this type of technology and its use against both children and school staff.

“Our members passed a motion at our conference last year calling for the creation and distribution of non-consensual deepfake content to be criminalised. We welcome the government’s recent move to do so. 

“While AI offers benefits and opportunities for teaching and learning, there are also risks. School leaders and teachers need ongoing support and funded training in using AI and helping pupils deploy the technology safely and productively inside and outside school.

“These findings highlight the importance of children developing skills like problem solving and critical thinking — to be questioning and able to identify good and bad information, biased perspectives and harmful content, as well as understanding the importance of data privacy and the risks of plagiarism.

“AI should be used to support and enhance learning, not simply to complete tasks, and that is true for both pupils’ work and teachers’ delivery of lessons.”

Overall, the findings underline the urgent need for education, families and policymakers to keep pace with AI’s rapid growth, ensuring young people can benefit from its potential while being protected from its most serious risks.