eSafety Commissioner Warns of AI Risks to Youth
The regulator testified on the dangers of AI chatbots to young people while supporting new federal digital duty of care laws.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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Australia’s eSafety Commissioner recently testified before a federal parliament inquiry regarding the rising risks posed by artificial intelligence. The testimony comes as the government introduces digital duty of care legislation aimed at protecting citizens from rapid technological threats.
Why it matters
Regulators are working to prevent a repeat of regulatory failures associated with social media by addressing AI risks that move faster than previous technologies. The commission notes that AI poses potentially more catastrophic risks, necessitating proactive enforcement standards.
One in five young users reported harmful chatbot interactions, while one in three shared personal information. Eight AI programs have already introduced age restrictions or withdrawn access following enforcement action.
The players
eSafety Commission
This is the independent Australian government regulator responsible for promoting online safety and protecting citizens from online harm.
National Home Safety Education Council
This organisation works in partnership with government bodies to deliver safety programmes and reporting resources for schools.
The details
The commission has successfully removed 96 percent of image-based sexual abuse material but noted a 6 percent removal rate for adult cyber abuse content. Efforts to improve safety include a school-based reporting system created in collaboration with the National Home Safety Education Council.
Timeline
2024 to 2025: Reports of AI-generated child sexual exploitation increased by 75 percent.
20 October 2026: The eSafety Commissioner testified before the federal parliament inquiry.
22 October 2026: The government introduced new digital duty of care laws.
November 2026: A final report from the parliamentary inquiry is due.
The Tech Race
The push for new oversight follows the introduction of the digital duty of care legislation, which seeks to formalise accountability for digital platforms. This represents a significant shift from previous self-regulatory models towards stricter government-enforced standards for AI services.
Young Australians and their families should be aware of the high prevalence of harmful chatbot interactions and the risks of sharing personal data. Stricter standards and potential age limits on AI programmes may soon change how these services are accessed by minors.
The takeaway
Families should prioritise privacy settings and open communication regarding the risks of interacting with AI chatbots. Vigilance is essential as regulators continue to refine enforcement to keep pace with rapid developments in generative content.
What happens next
A final report from the federal parliament inquiry is scheduled for release by the end of November 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local standards in the Australia Artificial Intelligence section.
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