Teens and Explicit Deepfakes in the Age of AI
July 21, 2026
Every kid with a phone in their pocket is just one tap away from a world of material that's decidedly not for kids.
Ever since the days of adult magazines, pornography has been a part of how teens explore sex. But every parent today knows that the internet has made it all too easy for their kids to see things that are inappropriate and potentially even harmful. Considering the risks of AI-generated deepfakes, parents are rightfully concerned that explicit material is easier than ever to find and create.
Our nationally representative survey of 1,314 teens age 13 to 17, conducted in fall 2025, found that nearly half of teens have seen AI-generated explicit material. And 1 in 4 of those who have seen AI pornography say they've seen it depicting themselves or someone they know.
Regardless of whether teens sought out this material or stumbled upon it by accident, most agree that AI-generated sexual material shapes how their peers think about what bodies should look like as well as their expectations of romantic partners.
The results of our new research confirm that it's time for us to talk about AI and pornography. Honest, judgment-free conversations are critical to helping teens form healthy attitudes about relationships and sex.