Safeguarding Tomorrow’s Data Landscape: Young Digital Citizens’ Perspectives on Privacy Within AI Systems
Organization
Vancouver Island University
Published
2025
Project Leader(s)
Dr. Ajay Shrestha
Summary
The research team investigated how young people aged 16-19 understand and experience privacy in AI systems, while also considering the views of parents, educators, and AI professionals. The goal was to better understand youth privacy concerns and develop practical guidance to protect their data in AI-driven environments.
The study began with a literature review on AI privacy, data governance, and youth digital rights. These insights shaped a user study, including 461 survey responses, 12 interviews, and 2 focus groups. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, the team explored key factors such as data ownership, parental data sharing, risk-benefit tradeoffs, transparency, and privacy awareness.
Based on the findings, the team developed the Privacy-Ethics Alignment in AI (PEA-AI) Model. This new framework views privacy as a process shaped by ongoing negotiation between users, technology design, and regulation. It calls for adaptive, multi-stakeholder approaches to AI privacy that align with ethical principles.
To share results, the team engaged with students, educators, and professionals through webinars, seminars, public events, and media features. The project was presented at major conferences and received recognition for its contributions. The study concludes with concrete recommendations for youth, families, educators, developers, and policymakers, while also outlining future research and policy directions to help ensure responsible, youth-focused AI development.
Project deliverables are available in the following language(s):
English
- Website
- Publications:
- Final Report – Safeguarding Tomorrow’s Data Landscape: Young Digital Citizens’ Perspectives on Privacy within AI Systems
Privacy-Aware AI Research, March 2025 - Handbook – Safeguarding Tomorrow’s Data Landscape with AI for Youth: A Practical Handbook
Privacy-Aware AI Research, Feb 2025 (V1) - Systematic Review – Navigating AI to Unpack Youth Privacy Concerns: An In-Depth Exploration and Systematic Review
(IEEE, In Press) – Preprint Version - Stakeholder Analysis (1) – Toward Ethical AI: A Qualitative Analysis of Stakeholder Perspectives
IEEE: 10.1109/CCWC62904.2025.10903879 - Stakeholder Analysis (2) – Investigation of the Privacy Concerns in AI Systems for Young Digital Citizens
IEEE: 10.1109/CCWC62904.2025.10903925 - Theoretical Application – Applying Communication Privacy Management Theory to Youth Privacy Management in AI Contexts
IEEE: 10.1109/ICAIC63015.2025.10848639 - Review Article – Young Digital Citizens and Privacy in AI Systems: A Systematic Review of Perceptions, Concerns, and Expectations
(In Review) – Preprint Version - Policy Commentary – Ethical AI for Young Digital Citizens: A Call to Action on Privacy Governance
(Security and Privacy – Wiley, In Press) – Preprint Version - Framework – Privacy Ethics Alignment in AI (PEA-AI): A Stakeholder-Centric Framework for Ethical AI
Systems: 10.3390/systems13060455 - Model Analysis – Unpacking Youth Privacy Management in AI Systems: A Privacy Calculus Model Analysis
(IEEE Access, In Press) – Early Access
- Final Report – Safeguarding Tomorrow’s Data Landscape: Young Digital Citizens’ Perspectives on Privacy within AI Systems
- Outreach & Engagement (YouTube Content):
- Webinar – Privacy Laws & AI: Navigating Emerging Challenges
- Seminar – Safeguarding Tomorrow’s Data Landscape | Recorded Seminar
- Practical Guide – How to Protect Youth Privacy in an AI World
OPC Funded Project
This project received funding support through the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada’s Contributions Program. The opinions expressed in the summary and report(s) are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. Summaries have been provided by the project authors. Please note that the projects appear in their language of origin.
Contact Information
Ajay Shrestha, PhD (he/him)
Professor, Computer Science
Faculty of Science and Technology
Vancouver Island University
Office: Building 315, Room 206
Nanaimo, British Columbia V9R 5S5
Telephone: (250) 753-3245 (Option 5 – transferred via Teams)
Email: ajay.shrestha@viu.ca
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