US Teens Losing Trust in Big Tech - New Report

Declining Trust in Big Tech Among American Teenagers

A recent report from Common Sense Media, a nonprofit dedicated to reviewing and rating media and technology – now encompassing AI products – reveals a significant loss of faith in major technology companies among American adolescents.

Survey Findings on Teen Perceptions

The organization’s study, released on Wednesday, involved surveying over 1,000 teenagers regarding their perceptions of companies like Google, Apple, Meta, TikTok, and Microsoft. The survey assessed whether these firms were seen as prioritizing teen well-being and safety, operating ethically, and adequately protecting user data. Across all areas investigated, a majority of teens expressed low levels of confidence in these tech giants.

Specifically, nearly half of the teens surveyed indicated they had limited or no trust in the responsible decision-making capabilities of these companies, particularly concerning the implementation of Artificial Intelligence.

Historical Context of Growing Distrust

This growing distrust of Big Tech within the United States has been developing over several years. Key events contributing to this trend include the 2013 disclosures of extensive government data collection practices, the data controversy surrounding Cambridge Analytica, and the 2021 revelations from Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen detailing Meta’s awareness of the detrimental societal impacts of its platforms.

Furthermore, numerous Congressional hearings have seen lawmakers challenge Big Tech CEOs on issues ranging from app safety and antitrust concerns to the potential harms caused by algorithmic designs.

Political Influence and Perceived Hypocrisy

This year witnessed tech executives making substantial financial pledges – $1 million donations – to the presidential inaugural fund, seemingly in an attempt to secure favorable treatment and avoid increased regulation of their businesses. However, even observers sympathetic to the administration view these actions as insincere, given prior criticisms leveled against the president by these same tech leaders.

While teenagers may not consistently follow these developments in the tech industry as closely as adults, the prevailing sentiment is demonstrably impacting their views.

Specific Concerns Regarding Well-being and Ethics

According to Common Sense Media, 64% of U.S. teens surveyed do not believe Big Tech companies genuinely care about their mental health and overall well-being. A similar percentage, 62%, doubt that these companies would prioritize safety over potential profit margins.

Over half of the teens surveyed (53%) also expressed skepticism regarding the ethical and responsible nature of design choices made by major tech companies, citing the increasing prevalence of “dark patterns” – deceptive user interface elements intended to manipulate or mislead.

Data Privacy and Inclusivity Concerns

An additional 52% of surveyed teens harbor doubts about the ability of Big Tech to safeguard their personal information. Moreover, 51% believe these companies fail to adequately consider the diverse needs of all users, exhibiting a lack of fairness and inclusivity.

Unsurprisingly, this pervasive mistrust extends to opinions surrounding AI, with 47% of those surveyed expressing concerns about the responsible implementation of AI technologies by these companies.

Impact on Perceptions of Online Information

The new study expands upon Common Sense’s previous research into teen adoption of generative AI and its broader effects on the media landscape. Findings indicate that 41% of teens have been misled by fabricated images online, while 35% have encountered misleading online content in general.

Over a quarter (28%) have questioned whether they were interacting with a human or an automated bot. A third of teens anticipate that generative AI will exacerbate the difficulty of verifying the accuracy of online information, a figure rising to 40% among those who have previously been deceived by false content.

Need for Transparency and Safeguards

The report highlights a general lack of certainty regarding online content, a long-standing issue on the internet. Despite the authoritative responses often provided by AI chatbots, 39% of surveyed teens have identified problems with the accuracy of AI-generated output when used for schoolwork.

A significant majority of U.S. teens (74%) believe that privacy protections and increased transparency are essential for managing AI. Furthermore, 74% advocate for AI companies to discourage the sharing of personal information on their platforms, and 73% believe AI-generated images and content should be clearly labeled and watermarked.

Compensation for Data Usage and Future Outlook

Regarding the economic aspects of AI, 61% of teens believe that content creators should be compensated when their data is utilized by AI systems.

As a consequence of diminished trust and the rapid evolution of AI, 35% of teens foresee generative AI making it more challenging to trust information found online, although this perception may evolve over time.