Why Gen Z is skeptical about AI-generated content

A high school senior shares insights on how AI-generated content is eroding trust and connection among teenagers, backed by new research from Common Sense Media showing widespread skepticism of online content among teens.

Key findings from the research: A Common Sense Media study reveals a growing crisis of confidence among teenagers aged 13-18 in their ability to distinguish real from artificial content online.

• 46% of surveyed teens report being misled by online content they’ve encountered
• 54% have observed content that, while technically real, was presented in misleading ways
• Nearly three-quarters of teens advocate for clear warnings about potential harm or bias in AI-generated content
• 73% support mandatory labeling or watermarking of AI-created materials

Impact on digital communication: The proliferation of AI-generated content poses a particular threat to how teenagers interact and build relationships online.

• Images and memes serve as a primary form of communication among teens
• The ease of creating fake visual content using AI tools has made teens increasingly skeptical of the media they encounter
• This skepticism has begun affecting how teens approach all online interactions, fundamentally changing their digital social landscape

Broader implications for trust: The erosion of trust in online content is spreading beyond digital spaces and affecting how teenagers view information in their daily lives.

• Students report growing skepticism toward information from various sources, both online and offline
• The ability to create convincing fake content has made teens more cautious about accepting information at face value
• This heightened skepticism is affecting how young people form and maintain relationships

Personal perspective: Mary Ruskell, the teenage author, details how AI-generated content has changed her own online behavior and outlook.

• She describes meticulously examining online images for signs of AI manipulation
• Her experience reflects a growing trend of young people feeling unable to trust their own judgment about content authenticity
• She expresses concern about maintaining meaningful connections in an environment of pervasive doubt

Future considerations: The growing prevalence of AI-generated content raises fundamental questions about how the next generation will navigate truth and build authentic relationships in an increasingly artificial digital landscape.

• The demand for content authentication tools and clear labeling suggests teens want solutions to help them navigate this challenge
• There’s a critical need to balance healthy skepticism with the ability to form meaningful connections
• The long-term effects of persistent mistrust on social development and information literacy remain uncertain

The combination of teens’ heavy reliance on digital communication and their growing inability to trust online content creates a paradox that may fundamentally reshape how future generations connect and understand their world.