Online Safety

Navigating the World of AI

From help with homework to image generators and chatbots, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a routine part of our children's daily digital lives.

While AI offers exciting opportunities for creativity, problem-solving, and tailored learning, it also brings new challenges around misinformation, online privacy, and digital safety. To help families navigate this evolving technology, the NSPCC has published a brilliant, practical resource: Talking to Children About AI.

What Does the NSPCC Advice Cover?

The guide breaks down how AI works in everyday apps and provides balanced insights into both its benefits and risks:

• Opportunities: How AI tools can inspire creative writing and artwork, support core subjects like maths and coding, and improve accessibility for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

• Risks to Watch For: Understanding misinformation, deepfakes, privacy/data collection, and preventing misuse such as cyberbullying or generated harmful images.

8 Quick Practical Tips for Families

The NSPCC recommends eight everyday steps parents and carers can take to support their children:

1. Explore Apps Together: Take a look at the platforms your child uses to spot where AI features (like chatbots or quick summaries) appear.

2. Talk About Capabilities & Limits: Remind children that AI can be helpful, but it isn't always accurate or truthful. Ask open questions like, "Does this answer make sense to you?"

3. Spot AI-Generated Content: Encourage children to think critically about unusual images or videos they see online.

4. Try AI Tools as a Family: Experiment with an image generator or learning tool together to discuss how it works.

5. Set Clear Boundaries: Agree on rules for using AI for schoolwork (using it to support learning, not replace it) and reinforce that using AI to create fake or harmful content about others is unacceptable.

6. Protect Personal Data: Remind young people never to share personal details with AI chatbots - they are not trusted adults or secret-keepers.

7. Model Critical Thinking: Share your own thought processes out loud when checking facts or using online tools responsibly.

8. Know Where to Get Help: Act quickly if harmful or fake content involving your child is created - save evidence, report it to the platform, and utilise tools like the NSPCC's Report Remove.

Learn More

Take a few minutes to explore the full guide online:

🔗  Read the NSPCC's full guide on Talking to Children About AI