Survey Reveals Over 80% of South Korean Youth and Adults Worry About AI-Driven Online Abuse

Key Takeaways

Over **80%** of South Korean teens and adults are concerned about AI-based online abuse.

The survey highlighted the ease of AI content creation as a major concern for youth. **42.3%** of teenagers and **15.8%** of adults reported experiencing cyber abuse.

Strangers are the most common perpetrators of online abuse.

The government is committed to promoting safe digital practices.

Seoul, March 30 (NationPress) A recent poll indicates that over 80% of teenagers and adults in South Korea are alarmed by the potential for online abuse stemming from the misuse of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including the production of deepfake videos and disinformation. This was revealed on Monday.

Conducted from September to November last year by the Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC), the survey involved 9,296 students ranging from fourth-grade elementary to third-year high school, alongside 7,521 adults aged 19 to 69. Among the young respondents, 89.4% acknowledged the grave nature of AI-fueled cyber violence, while 87.6% of adults concurred.

Teenagers highlighted the ease of creating content with AI tools as their primary concern, while adults voiced worries about the potential for repeated harm from materials generated by AI.

The survey also revealed that 42.3% of teenagers reported experiencing some form of cyber abuse in 2025, a slight decrease of 0.5 percentage points from the previous year. Conversely, the percentage for adults rose to 15.8%, an increase of 2.3 percentage points during the same timeframe.

In terms of channels, teens reported that they were mostly subjected to cyber abuse through text messages and online gaming platforms, while adults indicated similar experiences mainly via text messaging or social media.

Strangers were identified as the primary abusers for both teenagers and adults, followed by friends, as reported by Yonhap news agency.

KMCC Chair Kim Jong-cheol stated, "Cyber abuse transcends ethical concerns; it threatens individual dignity and infringes on the right to happiness as established by the Constitution." He emphasized that the government is committed to fostering the responsible use of digital platforms.

Online abuse encompasses the targeted harassment of individuals or groups through digital channels, including social media, messaging applications, and gaming sites. It comprises cyberbullying, doxing, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, hate speech, stalking, and AI-driven deepfake abuse. Such actions can inflict profound psychological, social, and economic harm.

Point of View

It is crucial to recognize that the alarming concerns regarding AI-related online abuse reflect a broader societal issue. With significant percentages of both teenagers and adults acknowledging the risks, there is an urgent need for effective strategies to combat cyber violence while promoting safe digital environments.

NationPress

6 Aug 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of South Koreans are concerned about AI-related online abuse?

Over **80%** of teenagers and adults in South Korea expressed concerns regarding online abuse stemming from AI misuse.

What kind of online abuse is associated with AI?

AI-related online abuse includes **deepfake videos**, disinformation, cyberbullying, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.

Who are the main perpetrators of online abuse?

The survey indicated that **strangers** are the primary abusers, followed by friends, for both teenagers and adults.

What measures is the government considering to address this issue?

The government, as stated by KMCC Chair Kim Jong-cheol, aims to promote the responsible use of digital platforms to curb cyber abuse.

How prevalent is cyber abuse among teenagers and adults?