NGO report Credible

Youth Perspectives on Online Safety, 2025

Sixth annual installment of Thorn's youth monitoring survey on US minors' online experiences and safety behaviors, surveying 1,003 minors aged 9-17 in late 2025. This wave adds questions on AI chatbot and companion use, including whether minors turn to AI tools for guidance after harmful online experiences such as online sexual interactions.

Read at thorn.org

Publisher

Thorn

Published

28 Jul 2026

Added

2 months ago

DOI

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Key Findings

67% of surveyed minors reported having used an AI chatbot or companion
Among the 27% of minors reporting an online sexual interaction, 15% confided in or sought guidance from an AI chatbot afterwards, more than twice the share who did so after being bullied or made uncomfortable online (7%)
30% of minors reported turning to AI tools when something confusing or upsetting happened to them or someone they know
1 in 25 teens reported having been the victim of an AI deepfake nude and 7% said they had seen a deepfake nude of another child, with a further 13% unsure (Thorn research blog, 2026-07-31)
More than 1 in 4 minors (29%) said they had turned to an AI chatbot or companion for sensitive or personal topics, including advice about romantic feelings (21%) and information about sexual health (18%)

Methodology Notes

Annual cross-sectional survey, n=1,003 US minors aged 9-17, fielded 2025-11-12 to 2025-12-01. Self-report limitations apply. Report published 2026-07-28.