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Over 80% of South Koreans Fear AI-Powered Online Abuse and Deepfakes

A major poll in South Korea reveals overwhelming concern among teenagers and adults about the misuse of AI for online abuse, including deepfakes. The survey shows nearly 90% of both groups recognize the seriousness of AI-driven cyber violence. While teen exposure to cyber abuse slightly decreased, adult exposure increased, with strangers being the most common perpetrators. The government has pledged to promote healthier digital platform use in response to these threats.

Key Points: South Koreans Concerned Over AI Cyber Abuse, Poll Shows

  • 89.4% of teens see AI cyber violence as serious
  • 87.6% of adults share the same concern
  • 42.3% of teens experienced cyber abuse in 2025
  • Adults' top fear is repeated harm from AI materials
2 min read

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

Poll reveals over 80% of South Korean teens and adults are seriously concerned about AI-driven cyber violence like deepfakes and disinformation.

"Cyber abuse is not just an ethical issue online, but an issue that can harm people's dignity - Kim Jong-cheol"

Seoul, March 30

More than 80 per cent of South Korea's teenagers and adults expressed concerns over online abuse involving the misuse of generative artificial intelligence 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.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
The part about strangers being the main abusers is chilling. It's so easy to hide behind a fake profile. Parents really need to talk to their kids about online safety. Jio and cheap data have brought the internet to everyone, good and bad.
D
David E
Working in tech, I see both sides. AI tools are powerful for creativity, but the misuse potential is terrifying. The survey showing over 40% of teens faced abuse is alarming. Platforms need better moderation, not just in the West but globally.
S
Shreya B
Respectfully, while the concern is valid, the article focuses only on fear. What about solutions? In India, we should also highlight positive uses of AI and teach responsible creation. Banning tech isn't the answer, educating people is.
R
Rohit P
Online gaming platforms being a major channel for abuse for teens... so true! I've heard my younger cousin talk about the toxic chats in some games. It's a breeding ground. Game companies need to take more responsibility.
K
Kimberly X
The constitutional right to happiness being violated by cyber abuse is a powerful way to frame it. It's not just "online drama," it's real harm. Governments and tech giants need to work together on this. No one should have their image stolen and misused.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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