More than one in three Australian children who experience online sexual victimisation either confide only in an artificial intelligence chatbot or choose not to tell anyone at all, according to new research from Adelaide University conducted in partnership with the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE).
The findings have prompted Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Krissy Barrett to warn that law enforcement cannot be the sole safety net for vulnerable young people facing online exploitation.
Speaking as she marked her first year as AFP commissioner, Barrett described the trend as deeply concerning and highlighted the limitations of relying on AI systems instead of trusted adults when children need support.
The study found that 35 per cent of children who were sexually victimised online either sought help from an AI chatbot or remained silent about their experiences. Researchers said the growing use of generative AI tools is creating new challenges for child safety, particularly as more young people turn to digital platforms for emotional support and advice.
The report also found that more than 15 per cent of young people seek personal guidance or counselling advice from AI tools at least once a week.
Among boys who experienced online sexual victimisation, the situation appeared even more pronounced, with two in five either disclosing their experiences only to an AI chatbot or not reporting the abuse to anyone at all.
Commissioner Barrett said the findings were “heartbreaking” and stressed that AI systems, while increasingly sophisticated, cannot replace the care, protection, and intervention that human support networks can provide.
She warned that by the time police become involved in cases of online exploitation, opportunities for early intervention are often significantly reduced.
“We’re right at the end of the suite of tools here, and we’re a pretty blunt object. Let’s be honest, by the time we become involved, the options are reduced,” Barrett said.
The research comes amid growing concerns about the misuse of artificial intelligence in online abuse. Authorities have reported an increase in cases involving children as young as 12 being targeted through AI-generated nude imagery, image manipulation, and other forms of online exploitation.
The findings have also reignited debate over whether existing online safety regulations should be expanded. Australia has already introduced measures restricting social media access for users under 16, and some advocates have suggested similar safeguards could be considered for certain AI chatbot platforms.
However, Barrett stopped short of explicitly supporting an extension of the under-16 ban to AI tools, noting that legislative restrictions alone would not solve the broader problem.
At the same time, she indicated that authorities would support measures that improve children’s safety online.
“Anything that helps to keep our kids safer is obviously something we support,” she said.
Child safety experts say the study highlights the importance of encouraging young people to seek help from parents, teachers, counsellors, and other trusted adults when faced with online abuse or exploitation.
The study underscores the rapidly evolving relationship between young people and artificial intelligence, raising questions about how society can best protect children in an increasingly digital environment while ensuring they have access to appropriate support when they need it most.
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