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Why this is right for ages 13–16
Young people in this age group are ready for clear discussion of manipulation, sexualised deepfakes, consent, data exploitation, emotional dependency and possible legal consequences. The tone should respect growing autonomy, avoid lectures and keep trusted adults available without turning support into surveillance.
How AI may show up at this age
- Essays, study plans, coding, applications and creative projects
- AI search, summaries and research
- Image, video, music and voice generation
- Group chats, memes, altered images and rumours
- AI companions, advice and emotionally personal conversations
- Synthetic influencers, beauty and body content
- Connected tools that can access files, email, cloud drives or other accounts
What matters most now
- Use AI to extend thinking and skills, not quietly replace them.
- Check claims, citations, media and urgent requests through another reliable channel.
- Review what data, files and connected accounts an AI tool can access.
- Never create, request, keep or forward sexualised or humiliating AI content about a real person.
- Treat familiar voices, faces and accounts as possible impersonation when money, secrecy or urgency is involved.
- Recognise that an AI companion can feel attentive without understanding, caring or being accountable.
- Act as a responsible bystander: do not forward harm, support the targeted person and report it.
Conversation starters to try
Conversation starter: Which part of your thinking are you handing over?
When to use: When AI is completing large parts of schoolwork, writing, coding or planning.
Try saying: “AI can speed things up, but I want you to keep the parts that build your judgement and skills. Which parts are you using AI for, which parts are completely yours, and could you explain or defend the final result without the tool?”
Follow-up: “What skill would become weaker if AI always did this part?”
Conversation starter: Fake does not mean harmless
When to use: When altered, sexualised or humiliating content about a real person is discussed, created or shared.
Try saying: “Using someone’s face or body to create sexual or humiliating AI content without consent is abuse, even if the image is fake. Do not make it, ask for it, save it or forward it. If you receive it, stop the spread and tell a trusted adult.”
Follow-up: “What could you do as a bystander that helps the person instead of adding to the harm?”
Conversation starter: A familiar voice or face is not proof
When to use: When discussing voice cloning, fake accounts, urgent messages or requests for money or access.
Try saying: “AI can imitate a person’s voice, face or writing style. If a message is urgent, secret or asks for money, codes, passwords or access, verify it through a separate contact method before doing anything.”
Follow-up: “What family check could we use if a call or message seems suspicious?”
Conversation starter: AI can feel close without being a relationship
When to use: When an AI companion becomes private, intense, sexualised or more important than real relationships.
Try saying: “I understand why an AI that is always available and agreeable can feel supportive. But it does not know you, care about consequences or take responsibility for its advice. Important feelings, health questions and relationship decisions need real people and reliable support.”
Follow-up: “Is the tool helping you reconnect with life, or making you pull away from people?”
Privacy is more than hiding your address
Before connecting an AI service, check what it can read, store or act on. This may include uploaded documents, photos and metadata, location, school information, email, cloud drives and account permissions. Remove access that is not needed and avoid uploading sensitive personal, family, school or workplace information.
Ask: “What can this tool access, what will it remember and what could it do on my behalf?”
AI-generated perfection is designed, not lived
Some influencers, bodies, lifestyles and recommendations may be partly or entirely generated. Discuss how perfect-looking content, undisclosed advertising and personalised feeds can shape appearance, fitness, food and identity. The useful question is not only “Is this real?” but also “What is this trying to make me feel or do?”
Listen for
- “Everyone uses AI for the whole assignment.”
- “It is only a fake image, so no one is really harmed.”
- “A voice message proves it was them.”
- “The chatbot knows me better than anyone.”
- “I had to keep it secret or they would post it.”
- “I connected the app to everything because it was easier.”
Red flags that need prompt action
- Sexualised deepfakes or threats to share them
- Sextortion, blackmail or demands for money or more images
- Grooming, secret contact or pressure from an adult or unknown account
- Self-harm, suicide, eating-disorder, medication or dangerous advice from an AI system
- Strong withdrawal from friends, family, school or usual activities
- Significant money loss, account takeover or connected tools acting without clear permission
What to do: Stay calm, do not blame the young person and reach out for support. If there is immediate danger, call 000.
A simple bystander rule
Do not react, save or forward harmful content. Tell the sender to stop if it is safe to do so, check in privately with the targeted person, and report the content. Do not make the targeted person repeatedly explain or prove what happened.
Related trusted resources
- eSafety: Critical thinking — deciding what to trust in a world of AI, scams and fake news.
- eSafety: Deepfake damage in schools.
- eSafety: AI chatbots and companions — risks to children and young people.
- eSafety: Report image-based abuse.
- Kids Helpline — free, private and confidential support for ages 5–25.
Check each AI service’s current age rules and data settings. Product safeguards reduce risk but do not remove it.
Last reviewed: July 2026.