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AI chatbots have long been a part of everyday life for teenagers: 94 percent of 11 to 17-year-olds use such applications, according to a new study by Safer Internet. Experts warn of a lack of awareness regarding data protection and call for more digital education in schools.
94 percent of young people already use AI chatbots. This is according to the latest study by the Safer Internet initiative, which was presented in Vienna on Monday. This high “penetration” was described by Stefan Ebenberger, ISPA Secretary General (Internet Service Providers Austria), as “quite surprising.” State Secretary Alexander Pröll (ÖVP) referred to AI as the “biggest technical disruption of recent decades.” Now it is about “managing the risks.”
Regarding the risk associated with AI applications among the 500 surveyed Austrian children and teenagers aged eleven to 17, at least 28 percent assumed that their inputs into AI software were confidential, meaning they could not be viewed or used by anyone. “There is little awareness regarding data protection,” noted Barbara Buchegger from Saferinternet.at. Young people do share personal information with AIs, and it is not easy to make clear why this can be a problem.
According to the results, the majority of such information would end up with ChatGPT, as the AI chatbot from OpenAI is used by around 90 percent of respondents. Gemini from Google follows at a great distance with only 23 percent. Nearly a quarter use ChatGPT every day, over 40 percent several times a week. The most common applications, according to the survey, are “school purposes and homework” (73 percent), around 55 percent frequently or occasionally seek information or tips for various areas of life from the AI, and nearly a third (31 percent) want to discuss problems.
AI is changing its young users. This was pointed out by Birgit Satke, the head of the advisory team at Rat auf Draht. In everyday counseling, it is noticeable that young clients often have a reluctance to speak with a real person. In contrast, there is great trust in AI, as 57 percent stated that its advice is good, and nearly 55 percent frequently or sometimes verify the information. Only a minority believe that AI applications could be a danger to society or themselves, and over a quarter (26 percent) think that young people could actually fall in love with a chatbot.
Pröll pointed out that the survey also reveals the desire of young people to understand AI, and emphasized that school is “the ideal place for such digital education.” 53 percent of respondents expressed such a need, and just as many also advocated for an age restriction. In this regard, a European solution should be pursued, according to the State Secretary. To regulate AIs, the EU has a suitable tool with the “Digital Service Act.”
International models will be considered. The government has launched the digital competence initiative with 6,000 workshops across Austria, which are accessible for free. Overall, digitalization and AI offer many opportunities. However, there are also risks, according to Pröll – and regarding the use of social media, “it cannot continue like this.” It is absurd for young people to spend hours with these applications, and a ban through age restrictions is not enough: digital education and media literacy are needed, which should be taught in schools.
“Let’s not make the mistakes that happened with social media,” warned Buchegger. AIs need suitable “safeguards”: advertising must be identified as such, as must AI-generated material. She appealed to parents and schools that AI should “become even more of a topic.” ISPA provides a contribution with AI information: A brochure published for Safer Internet Day on February 10 aims to offer “an understandable and critical approach to AI application” and help dispel myths.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.
