Over 80 pc of S. Korean teens, adults concerned over AI-based online abuse

 

by IANS |

Seoul, March 30 (IANS) More than 80 per cent of South Korea's teenagers and adults expressed concerns over online abuse involving the misuse of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as the creation of deepfake videos and disinformation, a poll here showed on Monday.


According to the poll conducted from September to November last year on teenagers and adults by the Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC), 89.4 percent of teenagers said they recognise the seriousness of AI-driven cyber violence, while 87.6 percent of adults said the same.


The survey was conducted on 9,296 students from fourth-grade elementary school to third-year high school, and 7,521 adults aged 19 to 69, reports Yonhap news agency.


Teenage respondents cited the ease of creating content with AI tools as their top concern, while adults expressed fears over the potential for repeated harm from AI-generated materials.


The poll additionally showed 42.3 percent of teenagers experienced some form of cyber abuse in 2025, down 0.5 percentage point from a year earlier. The figure for adults came to 15.8 percent, up 2.3 percentage points over the same period, said the report.


By channel, teenagers said they were mainly exposed to cyber abuse via text messages and online gaming platforms, while adults reported similar experiences primarily through text messages or social media.


For both teenagers and adults, strangers accounted for the largest share of abusers, followed by friends.


"Cyber abuse is not just an ethical issue online, but an issue that can harm people's dignity and violate the right to happiness as guaranteed by the Constitution," said KMCC Chair Kim Jong-cheol, noting the government will make efforts to promote the healthy use of digital platforms, the report mentioned.

Latest News
Stalin files nomination from Kolathur, exudes confidence of DMK-led alliance's victory Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 03:11 PM
Freezing entire bank account unjustified, says Raj HC, giving relief to filmmaker Vikram Bhatt's wife Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 03:07 PM
Japan PM open to top-level talks with Iran if national interest warrants Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 02:35 PM
India, Brunei discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 02:32 PM
Awadhesh Narain Singh turns emotional as Nitish Kumar resigns from MLC post Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 02:03 PM