Online safety is no longer just about avoiding bad links and using strong passwords. As generative artificial intelligence (AI) becomes part of everyday life, people must also learn to recognize persuasive AI-generated content, deepfakes, and other increasingly convincing forms of digital deception.
Traditional digital safety focused on multi-factor authentication, lock icons in URLs, and avoiding questionable attachments. Generative AI has expanded those risks by producing persuasive responses, cloned voices, synthetic reviews, and other content designed to appear trustworthy even when it is false. The greatest vulnerability is no longer clicking the wrong link but trusting the wrong answer.
Older adults may be especially vulnerable to those risks. According to Tony Krueck, SVP of Cox Mobile at Cox Communications , company research found that 42% of seniors who use generative AI rely on it primarily as a learning tool. "AI literacy is quickly becoming a core pillar of online safety," he told TechNewsWorld.
AI use beyond the workplace is now commonplace. More than half of seniors (53%) say they use AI, and 42% rely on it to learn new things or solve practical problems.
Exposure to misinformation is a growing threat. Nearly one-third of seniors (32%) and members of the sandwich generation (ages 39–59) report experiencing online misinformation or disinformation over the last 12 months.
The risks extend beyond older adults. The sandwich generation carries much of the responsibility for managing online safety while caring for both teens and aging parents. A significant 86% say managing online safety for both their children and aging parents adds noticeable stress to their lives, and nearly a third find it overwhelming.
The report highlights two primary concerns: online shopping, which 73% of seniors reported as a top concern due to AI-manipulated reviews and fake storefronts, and voice-cloning/deepfake scams that mimic relatives.
Cox Mobile sees the most potential applications in areas where navigating digital tools can be challenging, such as researching health information, understanding financial concepts, or preparing questions before interacting with online services.
Krueck noted that as AI becomes more accessible, older adults embrace it as a resource that helps them navigate an increasingly digital world with greater confidence and independence. It also can make inaccurate information easier to accept as fact.
"The key is balancing AI's convenience with healthy skepticism and verification through trusted sources," he said.
Krueck suggested that AI can help alleviate some of that safety pressure when people use it as a support tool rather than another system to manage. Cox Mobile recently partnered with Sarah Dooley, founder of AI-Empowered Mom , who helps families use AI to reduce their mental load.
"One helpful tip she shares is using AI as a second set of eyes by uploading a screenshot of a suspicious email or text and asking AI to identify potential warning signs before acting," he explained, adding that it can also help answer routine questions and provide guidance for caregivers on everyday technology issues.
"When families use AI thoughtfully and pair it with good verification habits, it has the potential to build confidence across generations," Krueck said.
Traditional search engines provide a list of sources we can vet. Generative AI presents a single, polished answer with complete confidence. That conversational…