New research has revealed the ‘horrifying’ acts that young kids are now turning to artificial intelligence for.
This comes after a report conducted by Aura, a digital security firm, uncovered a worrying statistic about the types of things children are using AI for.
In the study, it detailed how minors are turning to AI technology to engage in violent roleplay.
The report explained: “When kids use AI, 42% of the time it’s for companionship. About 37% of those interactions involve violence, and the exchanges are unusually long. Kids who move into violent storylines type more than 1,000 words a day in these apps - more than in any other category Aura analyzed, including Sex and Romance, Friend, and Emotional Support.
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“Half the time violent themes appear, they happen alongside sexual roleplay. Violence also shows up across the platforms kids use most. 59% of kids surveyed say they saw at least one violent video in the past year, and 36% saw several. The survey also shows that YouTube is the most common source (62%), followed by TikTok (50%), Facebook (43%), Instagram (36%), Snapchat (23%), and X/Twitter (19%).”
So, are there warning signs to look out for? According to the report, there are early signs that children themselves are able to recognize as being ‘potential harms’.
It continued: “Half of those surveyed said they would worry about their own screen time if they were in a parent’s position. That self-awareness sits alongside a space where violent online content is easy to find - and, in AI chats, easy to stay in.”
Parents are struggling to control their children’s screen time
Parents were also surveyed, with nine out of 10 of them admitting they argue with their kids about device use more than they do over chores or homework.
The report stated: “Kids tell a similar story. Technology is the number one reason they clash with their parents. Losing a device leaves most feeling frustrated (56%) or annoyed (50%), and only 16% say the consequence helps. Sixty-two percent of surveyed kids say they wish they could flip the script and take away their parents’ phones.
“Both groups agree on what sets these fights off: too much screen time, bedtime phone use, gaming, device use during meals or family time, social media, and inappropriate content. These findings come from the national parent–child survey conducted for this report.”
The report is currently waiting to be peer-reviewed.