90% of Israeli Teens Use AI for Personal Advice, Survey Reveals

Artificial intelligence has evolved far beyond a tool for homework or information retrieval for Israeli teenagers, increasingly functioning as a personal advisor and confidant. A comprehensive national survey released by the National Cyber Directorate's 105 Bureau and the Chief Scientist's Office at the Ministry of National Security reveals that 90% of Israeli youth utilize AI tools, with 85% engaging with them frequently—39% daily and 46% multiple times a week.

While 81% rely on AI for schoolwork, the survey highlights a profound shift toward personal interaction. Approximately 39% consult AI for personal issues or decision-making, including 29% who seek general chat and personal advice, and 22% who use it for daily dilemmas such as clothing choices or drafting messages to friends. This tendency is notably higher among teenage girls at 43%, compared to 34% of boys.

Despite heavy reliance, a critical vulnerability persists regarding information verification and exposure to harmful content. Sixty percent of teenagers do not routinely check the accuracy of AI-generated responses, and 28% reported receiving advice that later proved incorrect. Furthermore, 69% have encountered disturbing AI-generated content, including 38% exposed to deepfakes, 33% to fake news, and 26% to violent imagery. Additionally, 16% admitted to using AI to generate content about peers "as a joke," raising serious legal and ethical concerns.

Dr. Nava Cohen-Avigdor, head of the civil division at the 105 Bureau, emphasized the urgency of strengthening digital critical thinking and family communication. Meanwhile, Dr. Guy Nagar, head of research at the Ministry of National Security, pointed to the dangerous gap between technical proficiency and critical evaluation, noting that parental awareness remains a vital protective shield.