A new UK-wide survey of 2,000 parents and 1,000 children from Internet Matters reveals that:
- Three-quarters of parents (73%) now say they are concerned about the false information their children encounter online – compared to 49% in 2020.
- Seven in ten children (68%) say they are negatively affected by misinformation online.
- Nearly two-thirds of children (64%) came across false or misleading content online in a six-month period.
Parents are now as concerned about false information online as they are about the impact of screen time on their children. A new survey of 2,000 parents and 1,000 children (aged 9-17 years) by online safety experts Internet Matters found that three-quarters of parents and carers are concerned about misinformation online – a 49% increase since 2020.
Internet Matters survey shows that 64% of children have come across at least one type of false or misleading content online, including AI-generated content, in a six-month period. This exposure can have a real impact on children’s wellbeing and understanding of the world, causing them to feel worried, anxious or confused and less trusting of content as it becomes harder to separate fact from fiction online.
Those children who have encountered false or misleading information in the past year, say they are most likely to have come across it on TikTok (47%), YouTube (38%) Instagram (27%) and Facebook (26%).
As false information emerges as one of the biggest online concerns for parents, we’re launching an interactive quiz from Find the Fake to help parents and children identify scams, fake news and AI-manipulated content.
Misinformation can appear in adverts, social media hoaxes, phishing emails, online articles or sponsored posts, and AI is making it easier to create and share authentic-looking content. Popular children’s YouTuber Mr Beast is frequently prone to AI deepfakes, including a scam last year claiming he was offering children free gaming currency or consoles in exchange for personal information.
As a further example, in 2025 videos circulated online showing students inserting objects into laptop charging ports to create sparks and smoke. While there were genuine incidents in some schools, some social media sites amplified the impression that it was happening everywhere, causing concern among parents and schools.
Despite these concerns, Internet Matters says it is worrying that almost a third of parents (30%) and a quarter of children (23%) are turning to AI to check information is accurate.
AI can give inaccurate responses and create a false sense of certainty. This is a new challenge undermining children’s critical thinking and media literacy. Almost a quarter of children (23%) are not confident about recognising misinformation and therefore need to be equipped with new skills to deal with it.
Children rely on teachers as well as parents and carers for online safety advice, yet 85% of school staff say they are finding it harder to tell what is real and what is fake online.
Rachel Huggins, Internet Matters CEO says:
‘While AI has brought many benefits, it has amplified the problem of misinformation by making it easier to create realistic fake content, spread false information quickly and blur the line between fact and fiction. As a result, children face greater challenges in identifying trustworthy information online, which can have harmful consequences.
‘At Internet Matters, we believe parents, carers and schools are the first line of defence against false information which is why we provide practical tools, expert guidance and educational resources that help children develop critical thinking skills and question what they see online. “Find the Fake is about empowering families and educators to help children navigate the digital world with confidence in a fun, engaging and accessible way.’
Neha, parent and author of Cyber Ved Kids says: ‘With AI making it harder than ever to tell what’s real from what’s fake online, it’s a huge worry for parents who are trying to look out for their children and protect them in the digital world.
‘Children learn and remember better through play – not just classroom teaching. Which is why tools like ‘Find the Fake’ are brilliant because they turn a serious challenge into an interactive, fun experience that helps families build critical thinking skills together without it feeling like a lecture.’
Dana Haidan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Virgin Media O2, says:
‘Virgin Media O2 is proud to back Internet Matters’ Find the Fake campaign, which comes at a critical time when it’s becoming harder than ever to tell what is real online.
‘False information and fake images can leave children confused or misled, which is why we want to help them build the critical thinking skills they need to adapt to how the internet is changing, while staying safe and enjoying the digital experiences they love.
‘It’s part of our digital wellbeing strategy where we are working to support six million people to navigate the online world with confidence.’
