The impact of artificial intelligence on children

Na Al-Arabiya There is still no legislated law to protect children on the Internet or to deter technology from accessing, violating, and exposing them to their privacy.

Developmental pediatrician and digital media researcher Tiffany Munther suggests some common sense suggestions you can consider.

Like talking to your children about #artificial_intelligence and making them understand that the smart speaker in your kitchen is not like a friend you trust. Talk about the differences between people and digital assistants or between live conversations with friends and family and chatting on #socialmedia. Draw examples from your own life so your child gets an idea of how you practice online safety.
Aim to have an open discussion about privacy, bias, bullying, and other online safety issues with your teens, avoiding sermons and trying to cover every aspect of AI at once. Ask their opinions and be open. This can spark discussions that will help you learn together.

Explain how to manage cookies, clear browsing history, and block social media users or marketers who have chosen not to see their messages. Emphasize that this is something all Internet users should know, and provide some examples of how to protect your privacy.
Consider testing an #AI-based app like ChatGPT or Facetune with your kids. This can give you the opportunity to discuss how it works and point out any issues that concern you.

Challenge your children to look for signs of bias in online content. For example, you could create a game based on figuring out which things look real versus which things look fake. Ask the children where they think the information or images come from. Does the person, company, or group you are partnering with have a goal in mind? What reasons do we have to trust (or not trust) the sender?

And explain to them how they can use online information as a starting point for their own thinking. Make sure they understand that copying or displaying other people’s words, images, and ideas without giving them credit is wrong (and often illegal). Continue the conversation as your children grow.

Continued dialogue between families, schools, healthcare providers, sports and arts organizations, and other community organizations may help children benefit from #AI while minimizing its potential harms.