Save the Children says 'build the internet teens want'

Save the Children says online platforms should be redesigned to serve adolescents, rather than restrict them via blanket bans.

The charity, Save the Children, worked with youth specialists Livity in a Google-commissioned study to gather views from over 7,000 teenagers across Europe.

It found that most teenagers who had used AI reported using it at least weekly for schoolwork or creative tasks, with 50% saying AI makes learning more engaging, 47% saying it explains difficult topics, and 47% saying it provides instant feedback.

Over a quarter (28%) said their schools had not approved any AI tools and 13% were unsure what was allowed. Nearly 84% said they watch educational or how‑to videos at least a couple times a week, and over a third said they watch daily, the report found.

Many teens judge personalised recommendations as useful for discovery when combined with active search and content shared by friends, according to the study's findings, but it added that they also want clearer privacy settings, age‑appropriate policies and tools that do not exclude users.

The study resulted in three practical recommendations. One, to require clearer default safety and privacy controls across platforms, including straightforward reporting, nudges and labelling for AI-generated content. Two, to bake AI and media literacy into school timetables so young people learn to prompt, verify and spot synthetic content. And three, back parents with national programmes that demystify tools, scams and reporting and normalise asking for help, the company said.

The Recap

• Save the Children urges redesign of online spaces for adolescents.
• Study surveyed over 7,000 teenagers across Europe in total.
• Report recommends clearer safety controls and curriculum-level AI literacy.