Protecting Children in an AI Driven World
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is advancing at an unprecedented pace, shaping everything from education to entertainment and online interactions. While AI offers exciting opportunities, it also presents risks, especially for children.
AI Risks
As a parent, carer, or teacher, understanding these risks is essential to ensuring children’s safety and well-being in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Several recent reports have highlighted the dangers AI poses to children:
The NSPCC’s report on Generative AI and Child Safety warns that AI can be misused to generate harmful content, facilitate grooming, or create deepfake material that could be used to exploit children.
AI-powered chatbots, search engines, and recommendation systems may expose children to harmful, misleading, or biased content, sometimes without clear safeguards.
AI relies on vast amounts of data, and children’s online activities can be collected, analysed, and even exploited if they overshare personal information. AI-driven profiling could also shape their experiences in ways that aren’t always transparent.
AI in Education
AI is transforming education, bringing both benefits and challenges.
AI can adapt to a child’s learning style, providing tailored lessons, instant feedback, and improved engagement, however, AI-generated content isn’t always accurate, and there are concerns about bias, misinformation, and students becoming too dependent on AI tools for learning.
Schools are starting to integrate AI into classrooms. Understanding how your child’s school uses AI and what safeguards are in place is crucial.
What Can We Do?
AI safety is evolving, and while governments are working on regulations, parental awareness and advocacy are key.
Encourage Critical Thinking: Teach children to question AI-generated content, verify information, and understand AI’s limitations.
Review AI Policies: Check your child’s school’s AI policies and discuss with educators how AI is being used in lessons.
Advocate for AI Safety: Push for stronger accountability from companies using AI, better privacy protections for children, and greater transparency in how AI decisions affect young users.
AI is rapidly shaping how children learn, play, and interact online. By staying informed and taking practical steps, we can help children benefit from AI’s potential while staying safe in an evolving digital world.
Further Reading
Here are some of the latest reports and policies on AI safety used to inform this post.
Shape of the Future: How System Leaders Can Respond to the Provocations of Artificial Intelligence
Read here
Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act) - Regulation (EU) 2024/1689
Read here
Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework: Generative AI Profile (NIST AI 600-1)
Read here
International AI Safety Report
Read here
Viewing Generative AI and Children’s Safety in the Round (NSPCC Report)
Read here
AI Opportunities Action Plan - GOV.UK
Read here
Generative AI: Product Safety Expectations - GOV.UK
Read here
Generative Artificial Intelligence in Education - GOV.UK
Read here