Majority of Australian Youth Use AI for Personal Advice, eSafety Report Finds

More than half of Australian children and teenagers are now using artificial intelligence for personal and social reasons, according to a new report from the eSafety Commissioner. The findings signal a significant shift in how minors interact with technology, moving beyond academic assistance toward emotional and physical health support.

Data from a survey of 1,950 participants aged 10 to 17 shows that 78% have used AI assistants such as Claude, Gemini, or ChatGPT. Of those users, 54% utilize these tools for personal and social purposes. Among this group, the demand for guidance is split: 33% sought advice on physical health, 33% requested situational advice, and 20% turned to AI for support regarding mental health and wellbeing.

Furthermore, the report identifies a trend toward deep emotional simulation. Approximately 10% of teens use AI companions for sustained role play, including romantic simulations, with a higher prevalence among children with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ youth. However, these interactions are not always positive; 20% of children and teens reported experiencing inappropriate or harmful interactions, including instances where chatbots were hateful or mean. Privacy also remains a critical concern, as 32% of children who used an AI assistant or companion reported sharing sensitive or personal information with the tools.

The Risk of Intimate AI

This transition from practical utility to personal reliance is described as a "drift." While AI is often first adopted for writing, editing, or information gathering, users are increasingly treating these systems as confidants. This shift is particularly concerning for health-related queries because AI tools do not carry the same professional and legal obligations as medical practitioners to protect private patient data.

Beyond privacy, experts warn of the "sycophantic" nature of current AI models. Because these tools are designed to be helpful and often agree with the user, they risk reinforcing a young person's poor choices or distorting their perspective on complex social and emotional situations rather than providing objective, professional guidance.

Regulatory Response

In response to these emerging risks, the Australian government is developing the Children’s Only Privacy Code. Expected in December, the code aims to establish stricter privacy expectations and safeguards for AI tools interacting with minors.

As AI integration deepens, the focus for regulators and parents will likely shift toward monitoring the quality of advice provided by these systems and ensuring that vulnerable youth are not replacing human professional support with algorithmic simulations.