The Rise of AI-Generated Explicit Content Among Teens
As the use of artificial intelligence continues to proliferate globally, its capabilities are already severely impacting teenagers.
According to new research from Common Sense Media, nearly 75% of teens have seen online pornography, and more than half are encountering this type of content as early as age 12. More alarmingly, the survey of over 1,300 teens ages 13 to 17 revealed that almost half of respondents reported seeing sexual content they believed to be AI-generated.
Content created with generative AI (gen AI) tools now regularly includes fake nude images, deepfakes, and media from "nudification" tools—apps specifically designed to allow users to generate fake images depicting fully clothed people as undressed.
A New Era of Frictionless Access
While the general findings regarding teens and their exposure to sexual content have remained relatively consistent since Common Sense Media’s 2023 report, the way teens access and interact with this content has shifted dramatically over the past three years.
“That’s what I really think makes this notably distinct,” said lead study author Dr. Supreet Mann, director of research at Common Sense Media. “What we’re talking about is not ‘commercial or curated pornography.’ We’re talking about things that are removing the agency and stripping people of their ability to control their image.”
Previously, teens primarily encountered AI-generated explicit images of celebrities. Today, nudification tools are exposing teens to fake sexual content of their own peers. Nearly 20% of survey participants either created AI-generated sexual content themselves or know someone who has. More than half of those respondents said the content depicted someone they personally knew.
According to Dr. Mann, this represents the emergence of a frictionless digital space that allows young people access in ways that are largely unfiltered and unregulated.
The App Store Loophole
Nudification apps and deepfake generators are often easily available with the click of a button. Of the 44% of teens who viewed sexual content they believed to be AI-generated, 15% came across it via an AI app that modified photos and videos.
Even though strict regulations apply to what is allowed in official app stores, these malicious apps frequently slip through by hiding their true capabilities.
“There’s plenty of research showing that the ‘whack-a-mole’ job that app stores and social media platforms are doing hasn’t really been enough to keep up,” explained Riana Pfefferkorn, a policy fellow at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence.
How is This Affecting Teenagers?
The frequency and accessibility of this content are severely skewing teens’ perceptions of sex, consent, and body image.
Social Media Anxiety: Almost 70% of teens are worried about becoming a victim of AI-generated sexual content without their consent. Many are taking drastic action to protect themselves, including making their accounts completely private or deleting them entirely. Dr. Mann notes that while vigilance is good, this trend unfairly reinforces victim-blaming, asking, “Why is the burden on the young people to be changing their own behaviors because of fear of other people’s actions?”
Body Image Struggles: Nearly 70% of teens believe AI-generated explicit content affects how they view what their bodies should look like—a highly concerning statistic for adolescents whose bodies are rapidly changing.
Relationship Dynamics: The normalization of deepfakes is deeply impacting how young people think about the foundational elements of the teen experience, particularly regarding consent and romantic relationships.
What Parents and Schools Can Do
More than one-third of teens said they would like to talk to an adult about AI-generated explicit content, but they simply do not know where to begin. For many families, this technology feels like entering unfamiliar terrain.
Experts advise parents and guardians to initiate supportive, ongoing conversations with their children. Starting these discussions around the basics of consent, health, and digital identity provides a solid base before diving into the complex technology itself. Parents should also feel empowered to ask their children to walk them through any AI-enabled apps on their devices.
Furthermore, this is no longer just a household issue. Schools are increasingly at the center of incidents where teens face legal consequences for generating fake explicit images of classmates. Education officials must navigate these scenarios carefully, especially when digital harassment happens off-campus but involves enrolled students.
“There is a role for schools, for parents and families, for even talking to your other friends and for platforms and policymakers,” Pfefferkorn stated. “This is really a society issue rather than something that kids ought to be left to their own devices to try and deal with.”