More than eight in ten young people in Scotland say they have encountered misinformation online, with a growing number admitting they no longer know what to trust as artificial intelligence transforms the digital world.

A new report from national youth information charity Young Scot found that AI generated content and increasingly convincing deepfakes are leaving many young people feeling anxious, sceptical and overwhelmed as they try to separate fact from fiction online.

The findings come from Young Scot’s annual Truth About Youth survey, which gathered responses from 2,660 people aged between 11 and 25 across Scotland between September 2025 and January 2026.

Almost 70 per cent of those surveyed said they are worried about inaccurate information online, while six in ten admitted they struggle to know what is real and what is fake.

Many respondents said the rapid rise of AI generated images, videos and information has made it increasingly difficult to trust anything they encounter on social media.

One young person said:

“It’s frustrating to constantly wonder if something is manipulated or untrue.

“You have to be suspicious of practically everything.”

Another added:

“I see a lot of obvious AI fake knowledge and am worried that it will spread and prevent the truth from being learnable.”

A third respondent warned:

“Deepfakes are now just a part of daily life and they’re getting better every day.

“There has to be stronger regulations put on AI.”

The report suggests concerns are particularly strong around health information, educational content and manipulated media, with many young people calling for tighter regulation of artificial intelligence and social media platforms.

Young Scot trustee Finlay Anderson said the findings reflected the reality of growing up in an online world where doubt has become part of everyday life.

He said:

“When I read these findings, what struck me most was how familiar they felt.

“For many young people, being online is a huge part of everyday life.

“It’s where we learn, connect with friends, explore our interests and keep up with what’s happening in the world.

“But alongside all of those positives, there’s a growing sense that you have to question almost everything you see.

“Young people don’t want to step away from the online world they just want to be able to navigate it with confidence.

“That means making sure young people have the critical thinking tools they need to assess information, ask questions and make informed decisions.

“Building those skills has never been more important, because access to trustworthy information is fundamental to young people’s wellbeing, education and participation in society.”

The survey also highlighted wider concerns among young people beyond the digital world, with four in five saying violence is having a major impact on society, while 85 per cent believe child poverty remains a serious national issue.

Improving the NHS and reducing inequality were also identified as major priorities.

Young Scot Chief Executive John Loughton said:

“Young people are facing a tidal wave of misinformation online and many feel they can no longer trust what they see.

“Young people are asking for action, stronger protections and better support to help them navigate an increasingly complex digital world.

“At Young Scot, we believe young people’s voices must be at the centre of conversations about online safety, misinformation and the future of digital regulation.”