Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer an idea of the future. You see AI everywhere – in your phone, in the games you play, and even in the way our favorite movies are made. While we may not always realize it, AI is deeply integrated into our world, presenting both exciting opportunities and significant challenges for our youth.
Young people are uniquely positioned to not only adapt to the AI era but also lead it. As digital natives, they’ve grown up immersed in technology. This gives them leverage to quickly interact and understand new AI systems.
Furthermore, AI tools and platforms are becoming increasingly accessible and user-friendly for younger generations. A 4-H survey on young people (ages 9-17) revealed that a significant majority (72%) are seeking support from adults in learning how to use AI tools properly. This indicates a strong desire among young people to engage with AI and highlights the crucial role of educators and parents in guiding them on this journey.
Online Safety with AI
The rise of AI presents both exciting opportunities and significant challenges, particularly in the realm of online safety:
Deepfakes: AI-powered tools can create hyper-realistic but fake images, videos, and audio, known as deepfakes. This type of synthetic media can be used to spread misinformation and deceive viewers. For example, today’s technology allows for sophisticated face swaps, with apps such as FaceShifter, FaceSwap, Reface, and TikTok enabling users to easily swap faces within their videos. While face swaps themselves may not be inherently harmful, they raise concerns about impersonation and the potential for misuse. Here are some other risks of Deepfakes to keep an eye on:
- Cyberbullying and harassment: Deepfakes can be used to create harmful or embarrassing content, leading to cyberbullying, harassment, and emotional distress.
- Loss of Trust: The widespread availability of deepfakes can erode children’s trust in online information and the authenticity of what they see and hear. This can make it difficult for them to discern truth from fiction and can leave the feeling confused.
- Impact on Mental Health: The constant exposure to manipulated content can have a negative impact on children’s mental health, contributing to anxiety, fear, and general sense of unease in the digital world.
Data Privacy and Security: AI systems heavily rely on data to function and feed them information. This can raise digital safety concerns for children. Below are some tips on how you can protect their privacy and ensure their digital security.
- Media Education: Teach your children to critically evaluate online content, especially images and videos. Encourage them to question the authenticity of what they see and to look for signs of manipulation.
- Open conversations: Have open and honest conversations with your children about the risks of AI and how to avoid them.
- Personal Information: Teach your children the importance of protecting their personal information, such as their full name, address, phone number, and social security number.
- Social Media Privacy: Help them understand and adjust privacy settings on social media platforms, limiting who can see their posts, photos, and information.
- App Privacy: When downloading new apps, review their privacy policies carefully and be mindful of the data they collect.
- Device Security: Utilize privacy settings on their devices, such as location services, ad tracking, and app permissions.
- Public Wi-Fi Caution: Advise them to avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities, such as online shopping.
- Strong Passwords: Emphasize the importance of creating strong, unique passwords for their online accounts.
The Role of Parents and Educators:
Parents and educators play a critical role in guiding children through the complexities of an AI-powered world.
To ensure they remain safe and protective in the digital space, it is vital to stay informed about the latest AI technologies, their potential impacts, and the associated risks. Continue to have open and honest conversations with your children and encourage them to think critically and do your best to address their concerns and guide them in navigating the information they encounter online.
Here are some additional resources:
- Be Internet Awesome: The Fundamentals
- 23 Great Lesson Plans for Internet Safety
- 3 Steps to Secure Student Privacy
- Video: Making Strong Passwords
By working together, parents, educators, and the broader community can empower young people to navigate the AI era responsibly, embrace its opportunities, and shape a future where AI is used for good.
