Key facts
- Japanese teenagers are increasingly using generative AI for daily tasks, including criminal guidance.
- A recent government report indicates 46.2% of high school students use generative AI online.
- Some students rely entirely on AI for answers or calculations for schoolwork.
- Girls are more likely than boys to use AI frequently and for conversational purposes.
- The trend raises concerns about a lack of critical judgment and ethical implications among adolescents.
A series of incidents and reports in Japan have highlighted a growing trend of teenagers using generative artificial intelligence for guidance, even in criminal contexts, raising significant ethical and societal concerns.
In January, five girls allegedly assaulted a high school boy in Hachioji, Tokyo, with one of the accused reportedly using AI to determine the ransom amount. This case, along with the arrest of Yomiuri Giants manager Shinnosuke Abe for assaulting his daughter, has drawn national attention to the pervasive influence of AI on adolescent behavior.
Recent surveys reveal the extent of this engagement. A government report by the Children and Families Agency found that 46.2% of Japanese high school students use generative AI online, with an average daily internet usage of nearly seven hours. Another survey by Kankō Gakuseifuku indicated that nearly 80% of junior and senior high school students use AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini, with girls reporting higher frequency of use and employing AI for conversation and advice more than boys.
Students are using AI for various purposes, primarily for schoolwork to gain insights into thinking and structuring tasks, with a notable portion relying entirely on AI for answers or calculations. The Nippon Foundation also reported that approximately 90% of young people aged 17 to 19 are aware of or have used generative AI.
Experts are concerned that this reliance on AI may be diminishing adolescents' own judgment and restraint, leading to a potential erosion of critical thinking and ethical reasoning.