Taiwan reports rising digital risks and mobile usage among junior high students

Recent reports on digital trends among junior high students in Taiwan highlight increasing internet usage and rising digital risks. According to the Taiwan Children's Welfare League, 91.6% of junior high students now own a mobile phone, with the average age of first ownership dropping to approximately 9.98 years. Weekly usage has climbed to an average of 38.4 hours.

Students face various online threats, including personal data requests, cyberbullying, and exposure to inappropriate sexual content. Notably, 31.4% of students have encountered or witnessed AI-related issues, such as the use of deepfake technology to create fake images or videos of peers. Additionally, a study on digital resilience indicates that nearly 60% of adolescents are deeply involved in social media, often browsing alone without parental guidance.

Legislators and welfare organizations are calling for proactive measures rather than simple bans. Recommendations include strengthening parental involvement, implementing online social-emotional learning, and establishing cross-departmental regulatory mechanisms for algorithms. The Ministry of Digital Affairs is working with content protection agencies to promote platform self-regulation and risk management frameworks to protect minors from AI-driven misinformation and exploitation.