A shocking Ofcom survey in the Ofcom annual report shows that UK teens are becoming more and more addicted to social media, with the use of AI tools UK reaching all-time highs as worries grow about how social media harms children. The results, which were made public today, show that people have bad digital habits and call for stricter online safety UK rules.
According to the UK social media report, 40% of kids ages 8 to 17 use social media every day, which is 12% more than last year. TikTok and Instagram are the most popular sites for kids to spend time on. Social media addiction stats show that teens spend an average of 3.2 hours a day on social media, which is linked to more anxiety and sleep problems. Ofcom chief Dame Melanie Dawes said, “Kids are more immersed than ever,” pointing out the dangers of cyberbullying and harmful content.
In a twist, the use of AI tools in the UK has skyrocketed: 25% of 13- to 17-year-olds now use generative AI for homework, chats, and making content, which is a 300% increase since 2024. Experts say that while education is good, there are problems with privacy and the spread of false information.
Regulators want something to be done. As part of Ofcom’s push for “UK digital regulation,” tech giants that don’t follow the rules could face fines. The report, which is based on more than 10,000 surveys, says that parents should be able to control what their kids do online and schools should have programs to keep kids safe online.
This Ofcom survey shows that we are at a digital tipping point. Will Big Tech change, or will it face crackdowns?
