Aotearoa New Zealand’s youth are engaging with generative AI at unprecedented speed, yet safety guidance, resources, and regulation have not kept pace. This project will map current risks, gaps, and opportunities to build digital wellbeing for rangatahi and whānau.

This project is a collaboration between the Artificial Intelligence Safety Forum, Netsafe, and The Light Project, and is sponsored by the Spark Foundation.

Why This Matters

Generative AI tools such as chatbots, AI companions, deepfake and image apps, are increasingly shaping how young people learn, socialise, and seek support. Risks include exposure to sexualised or manipulative AI content, misinformation, and privacy breaches. Parents, educators, and frontline workers lack knowledge and resources to guide youth safely. There is no national picture of the scale or impact of these issues.

Approach

The Artificial Intelligence Safety Forum, Netsafe, and The Light Project, will collaborate to:

• Review evidence: summarise current local and international research on AI and youth wellbeing.
• Hear from youth: gather insights from rangatahi on their experiences and needs.
• Consult services: engage educators and frontline workers to identify challenges.
• Recommend next steps: outline a multi-phase plan for youth and whānau resources that promote smart, safe, and savvy AI use.

Expected Outcomes

• National overview of generative-AI use and risks for youth.
• Evidence-based roadmap for practical safety and literacy resources.
• Foundations for longer-term initiatives supporting digital wellbeing and equity.

Future Vision

This seed project forms Phase 1 of a larger national initiative, building evidence now to enable long-term investment in AI safety resources for youth and whānau. We aim to establish Aotearoa New Zealand as a global leader in youth digital wellbeing in the age of AI.

Contact

For general enquiries, media requests, or to discuss supporting this work, please email [email protected]