Culturally Aware GenAI Risks for Youth: Perspectives from Youth, Parents, and Teachers in a Non-Western Context

2026-04-29

AI Summary

This study addresses a critical gap in the literature by examining privacy and safety risks associated with generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) use among adolescents in non-Western cultural contexts, with a specific focus on Saudi Arabia. Through content analysis of 1,998 social media posts and semi-structured interviews with 31 adolescents, parents, and teachers, the research reveals context-specific relational privacy vulnerabilities shaped by local sociocultural dynamics. Findings indicate that adolescents’ emotional support-seeking behaviors often lead to inadvertent family information disclosure, while frugal practices such as account sharing amplify exposure to risk. Crucially, community structures, honor norms, and familial dynamics profoundly influence digital practices. Building on these insights, the study proposes culturally grounded value-sensitive design principles and targeted educational interventions tailored to the Saudi Arabian context.

Abstract

Generative AI tools are widely used by youth and have introduced new privacy and safety challenges. While prior research has explored youth's safety in GenAI within western context, it often overlooks the cultural, religious, and social dimensions of technology use that strongly shape youths digital experiences in countries like Saudi Arabia. To address the gap, this study explores children (aged 7 to 17), parents and teachers interactions with GenAI tools and risk perceptions through non-western lens. Through a mixed methods approach, we analyzed 736 Reddit and 1,262 X(Twitter) posts and conducted interviews with 31 Saudi Arabian participants (8 youth, 13 parents, 10 teachers). Our findings highlight context dependent and relational privacy and safety of GenAI from non-western context which often formed by communal structure and prescribed norms. We found significant risks tied to youths disclosure of personal and family information, which conflict with culturally rooted expectations of modesty, privacy, and honor, particularly when youth seek emotional support from GenAI. These risks further compounded by socio economic factors such as cost-saving practices leading to the use of shared GenAI accounts (e.g.ChatGPT) within families or even among strangers. We provide design implication reflecting on parents and teachers expectation of how youth should use GenAI. This work lays groundwork for inclusive, context sensitive parental controls that adhere to cultural norms and values.

Problem

• Generative AI
• Youth Safety
• Cultural Context
• Privacy Risks
• Non-Western

Innovation

• culturally aware AI
• generative AI risks
• non-Western context
• relational privacy
• context-sensitive design