The internet is undoubtedly an excellent tool for organization, learning, making friends, or simple productivity. Yet, according to analysts, children are more at risk online than ever – and, according to the New York Times, those big tech companies at the front of technological advancements are failing to make the change needed to secure online spaces.
It is an exciting time in technology, with AI, machine learning, and alternate reality helping kids to learn faster and build strong social networks. With change comes challenges, however, and parents need to be cognizant of how they can protect their kids.
A dose of reality
One of the advantages of artificial intelligence is that it can help children through subtle social teaching. The world is a little more isolated than before, despite the internet. The coronavirus pandemic has led to more digital learning, and kids stay at home longer than ever before.
With new technology, children can help build their social skills with AI friends, someone to talk to and provide perspectives. When they become adults, they can use then these use services that provide an AI girlfriend.
However, it’s worth noting that experts, including one ex-Google CEO, have flagged the risk of kids expecting perfection, according to Business Insider. This phenomenon is where young people will build their expectations of people from AI tools and react poorly to perceived flaws and inconsistencies.
Parents should embrace AI tools and ensure that children have access to services appropriate to their age and temper expectations with honest discussions on how the world works around them. These AI partners can be helpful during childhood and provide further guidance and support through adulthood, but it’s essential that parents give their children the tools and a safe environment in which to make use of them.
Tackling bullying
Social media and communication tools are invaluable for making relationships and maintaining them, but they also present a risk of cyberbullying. According to Pew Research, half of all US teens have experienced cyberbullying.
While bullying has always been a problem during school years, cyberbullying has a sinister edge in that it can take place anywhere and at any time. Parents should monitor social media usage to monitor this risk and have regular discussions with children to see if and when they seem not quite themselves – early indicators of a bullying problem.
Staying safe online
Bullying often comes from people that children know. Less visible is the risk of unknown strangers on the internet engaging in exploitation. According to MissingKids.org, the number of cases of exploitation each year continues to rise and rise.
While parents should leave breathing room for their kids to enjoy social media without being overbearing, they must know what services they are using and whether they are safe. Most modern platforms have stringent controls in place to stop children from speaking to strangers and other people with ill intentions, and, for parents, the key is in knowing what platforms they are using and when.
It’s a tricky conundrum for parents – how can they enable their children to enjoy and benefit from the internet while protecting them and not being overbearing? As with parenting as a whole, the key is communication. Know what your children are using and how, but trust them, with that knowledge and education on safety, to use it safely.
