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2026 Norton Insights Report: Examining AI Risks for Children

Norton, a leading global authority in consumer cybersecurity and part of Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), has released its latest findings in the 2026 Norton Insights Report: Connected Kids. This report investigates the evolving online landscape surrounding children, particularly the increasing threats posed by AI-generated content, online impersonation, and digital relationships.

The data shows a significant disconnect between parental concerns about AI-related risks and their confidence in discussing these issues with their children. While parents in Japan express strong anxiety regarding the dangers posed by AI to their children, many lack the confidence to initiate conversations or put in place effective safety measures.

Key Findings of the Report

• - 57% of parents in Japan reported that they do not believe their children can distinguish between AI-generated content and genuine materials, a figure notably higher than the 32% in the United States.
• - 67% of parents voiced concerns about the misuse of AI to create fake images or conversations pertaining to their children.
• - 46% of parents indicated that their children play online games with chat functions; among them, 59% have reported their child communicating with strangers via voice or text chat, and 43% have received inappropriate or uncomfortable messages.
• - Only 53% of parents expressed they have no hesitation discussing online risks with their children, which is significantly lower than the 85% of parents in the U.S.

Growing Concerns Amidst Limited Action

Despite the high percentage of parents who worry about their children's online experiences, only 23% actively monitor or limit application usage or have discussions about AI-related risks with their children. This stark contrast reflects a serious gap in preventive actions relative to the level of anxiety present among parents.

Leila Bilgi, Global Fraud Research Lead at Norton, emphasizes the shifting nature of online dangers due to AI's emergence. She notes, “Parents have long taught their children how to identify strangers online. However, AI alters the landscape of these 'dangers.' New risks arise from manipulated images, cyberbullying using AI bots, and impersonations that were previously unimagined. This necessitates a reevaluation of how parents discuss online safety with their children.”

Hidden Dangers in Online Gaming

Interestingly, while platforms such as TikTok and YouTube are often cited as significant areas of concern for parents, online gaming poses its own unique risks that can often go unnoticed. According to the report, 13% of parents highlighted online gaming as a concern for their children. However, the realities of children’s experiences reveal hidden dangers, with 46% of parents affirming their children engage with games that have chat features. Within this group, 59% reported that their children have conversed with strangers online.

Leila Bilgi further states, “The chat functionalities attached to online games represent a risk-prone environment for children, making it less visible for parents compared to social media platforms. If children are encouraged to transition to private messaging apps by individuals they met in games, these interactions become difficult for parents to track.”

The Communication Gap

The survey highlights a disconcerting gap between parents' confidence in discussing online safety with their children and the actual behaviors of their children. While only 53% of parents expressed confidence in discussing online risks—falling short of the 85% reported in the U.S.—a concerning 38% observed their children using devices past bedtime, while 16% found that their children accessed SNS or websites previously blocked.

This data does not imply a total absence of dialogue; rather, it demonstrates parents' relative lack of confidence in discussing this new terrain of online risks and highlights the need for support in effectively communicating these critical issues to their children.

Norton’s Initiative to Foster Parent-Child Dialogue

In the face of these findings, Norton has launched a blog series called