Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a bigger part of children’s lives, from educational tools to entertainment and social media. While AI offers many benefits, it also comes with risks that parents and guardians need to understand. From privacy concerns to exposure to harmful content and the potential for biased algorithms, AI can impact children in unexpected ways. This blog explores the dangers of AI for kids and what can be done to ensure their safety in an increasingly digital world.
What Is AI?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem-solving, decision-making, creativity and autonomy.
Applications and devices equipped with AI can see and identify objects. They can comprehend and react to human words. They can pick up new knowledge and skills. They can provide consumers and specialists with thorough advice. They can take the place of human intelligence or intervention by acting on their own.
How Does AI Impact Child Development
AI has the potential to improve children’s development in many areas, according to current research, but, ethical issues must come first. Children may come across unsuitable, erroneous, or biased content when participating in AI-powered learning activities.
How Does AI Affect Students?
All things considered, the benefits of AI for students include more individualised instruction, improved critical thinking abilities, and better readiness for the changing demands of the digital age, all of which add to a more dynamic and flexible learning environment.
What Are the Dangers Of AI For Kids?
There can be many positives to the use of AI in helping to find information, making creative content and getting support quickly through chat functions. However, as with other areas of online use, it comes with risks to children as well. Here are some of the dangers of AI for kids:
Lack Of Regulation
The biggest risk associated with AI is a lack of regulation. The content provided through AI platforms and tools is not moderated and this poses a variety of potential dangers, especially for young people. Unregulated content may expose kids to inappropriate or dangerous material that is also prejudiced or racist.
Data Privacy and Protection
AI-powered platforms often collect large amounts of data, including personal information, to provide personalised content and improve the experience. However, a lack of regulation may lead to inadequate data protection, increasing the likelihood that sensitive information about children may be misused or exploited.
Deepfakes and Misinformation
Without robust regulations in place, children could be exposed to incorrect or misleading information from AI image generators and chat platforms. AI’s capacity to produce deepfakes like phoney data, pictures, videos, and recordings, makes it more challenging to recognise reliable sources and determine if the content is authentic or manipulated. Malicious users use deepfakes to trick and harm people, especially children and teenagers.
Online Predators
Another big concerning risk to children online is the threat of abusers and predators. AI in particular can enable online predators to conceal their real identities and hide behind characters. They can increase the risk of grooming and exploitation by using AI capabilities to produce narratives that resemble those of a youngster. AI-generated games and virtual environments present excellent chances for social engagement, but they can also expose kids to predatory behaviour.
Difficulty Separating Real Interactions From AI
Parasocial relationships refer to the kind of one-sided relationship individuals form with media personalities. This kind of relationship helps people feel an emotional connection despite no direct interaction or acquaintance. In the context of children and AI, these relationships can easily develop with characters from AI-driven games, virtual assistants, or educational software, where the AI often exhibits personality traits or engages in seemingly personal conversations.
What Are the Benefits Of AI For Kids?
Even though there are certain dangers when it comes to AI, it can also provide certain benefits for children. Here are some of the benefits of AI for kids:
Enabling Creativity
AI-powered tools can enhance children’s learning experiences and encourage them to think outside the box, letting them see things from a different perspective. They can serve as sources of motivation and assist in coming up with fresh concepts that kids would not come up with on their own. AI-powered educational apps and platforms can also adjust to each child’s particular learning preferences, creating individualised learning trajectories.
Assisting With Challenging Tasks
AI can assist children with learning challenges like dyslexia or attention disorders. Virtual tutors can offer tailored support, personalised feedback and positive reinforcement, providing plenty of growth opportunities.
Enhances Children’s Access to Knowledge
For children in remote or disadvantaged areas, AI can bridge the gap and provide access to a wealth of knowledge. AI language translation tools enhance communication and provide support in many languages, breaking down language barriers.
How To Make Sure Your Children Use AI Safely
The NSPCC is the UK’s leading children’s charity and they look out for children’s safety. They provide tips on how parents can make sure children use AI safely. Here’s what you need to know:
Talk About Where AI Is Used
Talking openly with your child about where they are seeing AI tools and information online is a wonderful place to start. This is a chance to discuss the advantages and dangers they are facing.
Remind Them That Not Everything Is Real
You can tell them that a lot of what is seen online might have been altered and that not everything is authentic. Although AI is always changing, there are certain frequent signs that something is AI created, albeit keeping in mind that it’s not always clear. A perfect appearance overall, or the appearance of certain body parts or movements that are not true to life, are some examples of these signs.
Talk About the Misuse of AI
It’s critical to address the age-appropriate usage of generative AI to produce dangerous content. Make sure your child understands that making content that hurts other people is unacceptable. They can report this if they ever encounter it or if they are concerned that someone else may.
Remind Children to Check Sources
Chatbots and AI summaries can be useful resources for receiving prompt responses to questions, but it’s crucial to ensure that the information is sourced from a trustworthy source. Sources must be mentioned and frequently include links for easy verification. It’s wise to advise them to visit a trustworthy website for themselves if the source is unlisted or untrustworthy.
