Smart Technologies with Wise Kids – Protecting Kids in the Age of AI
// “Hey Google, my son asked, ‘How old was the oldest cat?'”
This has become the norm in our everyday life. Instead of searching online, my kids prefer to inquire with our Google Home devices.
“Cedric, you need to learn how to fact-check. Not everything Google tells you is true.” The other day, I had a conversation with my son. I emphasized the importance of learning how to fact-check and reminded him that not everything Google or the Internet tells us is necessarily true. He was shocked to learn that Google could be wrong! It’s challenging to distinguish between accurate information and fake news, especially considering that devices like speakers lack a visual interface. Even for grown-ups, we sometimes forget to do so. While I appreciate the convenience that technology brings us, I am deeply concerned about protecting children from malicious or fabricated content.
Unfortunately, the advancement of generative AI enables the production of deceitful or distorted content on a large scale. If someone misuses AI to create malicious narratives or intentionally trains AI models with false data, it becomes difficult to implement effective measures to prevent such occurrences.
How can we protect children from the malicious intent? Here are some of the tactics we exercise at home:
Develop Critical Thinking: Kids nowadays growing up with all the advanced technology that could potentially make them “dumber” by providing easy access to information without the need for diligent research. We have to educate our children about the importance of critically evaluating information they come across online, including responses from voice assistants like Google Home. We should encourage them to question sources, cross-check information, and look for verifiable evidence.
Enable Media Literacy: Understanding that the situation would only worsen, we have to help our children develop media literacy skills, enabling them to recognize and navigate through misleading or fabricated content. I find opportunities to show my son how to fact-check websites, and the importance of seeking multiple sources.
Encourage Offline Activities: My friend once described our son, Cedric, as the busiest kid in Brooklyn 🙂 The reason is simple, we just don’t want him to stay home and sit in front of his laptop all day long! With the ease of reach of devices like smartphones or computers, it’s even more important to balance our children’s online activities with offline experiences. To be honest, it’s almost the only way to cut them off from the grand Internet: engage them in hobbies, outdoor activities, and reading books to encourage a well-rounded development that’s not solely reliant on information from AI-enabled devices.
Monitor and Discuss: For young children, we are responsible for regularly monitoring our children’s online activities, including their interactions with AI assistants. I like to challenge my son by asking simple questions such as “Are you sure?” or “How do you know?” to develop his muscle’s reaction to validate what he hears or sees. We should try to initiate conversations about the information they receive and offer guidance on distinguishing reliable sources from potentially misleading or false ones.
Implement Parental Controls: Most home devices come with parental controls. While this may be manual and limited, we should still utilize the parental control features on devices and applications to filter and restrict access to age-appropriate and reputable content. This can help limit exposure to malicious or inappropriate information.
Stay Updated: Not every guardian is tech-savvy or competent with new technology, particularly AI. However, I believe that we have to try to stay informed about the latest developments in AI technology, including how it is used to generate content. “Know your enemy!” By keeping abreast of these advancements, we can better understand potential risks and take necessary precautions.
Report and Flag: Be a good internet citizen! When coming across any malicious or fabricated content, report it to the appropriate platforms or authorities. By reporting such content, we contribute to the collective efforts in safeguarding online spaces.
We all know that it’s impossible to completely eliminate the risks associated with malicious or fabricated content, but it’s even more important to educate our children to protect themselves by fostering critical thinking skills and promoting media literacy to equip them with the tools they need to evaluate information responsibly. Most importantly, we have to stay close to them and not let the new tech become their babysitters.