Better Internet for Kids

In this edition, a special focus was placed on the use of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly on chatbots.

The main findings of the report at a glance: 

According to their own assessment, online communication benefits many young people

Among 17-to 30-year-olds, 57 per cent believe that chatting or online communication contributes to their mental wellbeing.  

49 per cent also perceive the use of AI chatbots (such as ChatGPT) as having a positive effect on their wellbeing. 

Majority assess the influence of social networks on mental wellbeing negatively, yet usage remains high

Although 59 per cent of 17-to-30-year-olds say that social networks have an unfavorable influence on their mental wellbeing, usage remains intensive: 11 per cent spend less than one hour per day on them, while around one third are active on social networks for four hours or more each day. 

Frequent exposure to hateful content, especially on social media platforms

Among 17-to-30-year-olds, around four out of five say that they at least occasionally see hate speech directed at certain groups, for example women, LGBTQIA+ people, or hate related to origin or religion.  

Around half also encounter hateful content targeting people with disabilities at least sometimes. This exposure is mentioned especially often on Instagram and TikTok, followed by Facebook and YouTube. 

Chatbots are part of everyday life

A clear majority (84 per cent) of 17-to-30-year-olds use chatbots at least occasionally. 19 per cent use them daily for one hour or more. 

A (friendly) relationship with AI?

For some 17-to-30-year-olds, AI can represent a kind of "presence" in everyday life:  

• 17 per cent see it as a friend,  
• 20 per cent say it helps them feel less alone,  
• 5 per cent believe that it can replace time spent with other people - even though 76 per cent still prefer real-life company.  

45 per cent use AI at least sometimes for personal advice, and 22 per cent bring up topics they would not share with anyone else. 

Critical thinking and other skills

Among 17-to-30-year-olds:

• one third assesses the influence of AI on their critical and independent thinking as negative.  
• 16 per cent view it as positive,  
• while 40 per cent see no particular influence.  

Respondents state that chatbots affect critical thinking and information research more strongly than social skills or empathy. 

Parents talk relatively often about online risks, but more rarely about real online experiences

The majority of parents of children aged 3 to 11 (62 per cent) and nearly all parents of 12-to-16-year-olds (97 per cent) say that they have already talked about risks on the internet.  

Concrete online experiences, whether positive or negative, are discussed less often.  

Around half of pupils say they would talk to their family after a bad online experience, while about one in ten children say they would talk to nobody about it.

The complete results and all analyses can be found in the BEE SECURE Radar 2026. 

Find more information about the work of the Luxembourgish Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.