Prevalence and disclosure of AI and non-AI online child sexual victimisation: Findings from a national study of Australian adolescents

BACKGROUND: Rapid technological evolution has made online sexual victimisation of children an important societal concern. However, empirical evidence on prevalence, and the use of artificial intelligence in online victimisation, remains scarce. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of self-reported experiences of online child sexual victimisation, the involvement of AI, and disclosure pathways. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: A nationally representative sample of 1894 Australian adolescents aged 16-18 years. METHODS: This study employed validated items from the Australian Child Maltreatment Study measuring online child sexual victimisation, capturing experiences of nonconsensual sharing of sexual images and online sexual solicitation before age 18. Follow-up items asked about the involvement of AI in victimisation and disclosures. RESULTS: One in 25 Australian adolescents experienced, or have a friend who experienced, AI facilitated online child sexual victimisation. The national prevalence of experiencing any online child sexual victimisation was 14.9%, comprising nonconsensual sharing of sexual images (6.4%), and sexual solicitation by an adult (11.3%), while 26.0% of nonconsensual sharing of sexual images involved the use of AI. Girls (18.9%) were more likely than boys to experience online sexual victimisation (10.6%). However, boys (26.6%) were more likely to experience AI-facilitated victimisation than girls (9.0%). Disclosure to an AI (18.7%) was more common than to authorities (13.2%), especially among boys. Victimisation appeared to cluster within peer groups. CONCLUSIONS: AI has made a substantial impact on victimisation and disclosure patterns of adolescents in Australia. It is now a more common disclosure pathway than authorities, including police, teachers or online reporting platforms.