Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an ever-growing part of our daily lives, including in the lives of children and youth.
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer programs that draw from large amounts of data to find patterns and make predictions. In contrast to other computer models, AI uses problem solving, learning, and decision-making techniques in a similar way to humans. Some examples of AI in practice include personalized recommendations on shopping websites or a self-driving car.
Generative AI (GenAI) refers to a subset of AI programs that produce new content. This can include inputting a request and receiving new text, images, videos, and music. Deepfakes refers to pictures or videos that are altered or created completely from scratch. ChatGPT is an example of a GenAI chatbot, an AI program that can respond to questions in a friendly tone.
Children and youth have many opportunities to interact with AI, whether through AI chatbots such as ChatGPT or existing platforms that have added AI components like Snapchat.
AI chatbots are designed to be inviting, use persuasive language and rarely challenge or disagree with the person using the service. Access to a companion who is available 24/7 and always agrees with you can be attractive to children and youth. The same qualities that make chatbots so engaging, however, can also make them risky. Chatbots can share misinformation or encourage harmful behaviour to please users and continue using the platforms.
The AI landscape is constantly evolving and we are still learning the short- and long-term impacts on our minds and wellbeing. This can make talking about AI seem daunting. Below are four tips for talking to youth about GenAI chatbots, adapted from Child Mind Institute.
Be Curious
Ask questions about whether and how kids use these programs. This can open opportunities to share your concerns about AI without seeming combative. Placing a ban on using chatbots may backfire and cause children to not confide in parents about their use in the future.
Educate
It is important that kids understand the risks associated with using AI chatbots. Talk to them about the types of information they input into these chatbots. Let them know that there are risks to sharing personal information online, as they don’t know how it might be used in the future.
Kids may not have the lived experience to know whether they are receiving incorrect or biased information. Making them aware that the information they are receiving may not be accurate will give them the opportunity to question and fact check the information they are receiving. Adults can also have difficulties spotting misinformation, so it is important to demonstrate fact checking in front of the kids in your life.
Older children and teens can engage in conversations about the intent of these programs – namely, that the companies running the chatbots profit from keeping their focus. Increased screen time can have mental health consequences. Please see the Screen Time and Device Use page for more information (link to Cybersafe Care page)
Kids also need to know that while the images they may be creating are fake, the impact and consequences are real. Any degrading or sexual content they create of their peers can be illegal. Talk to your teens about the legal consequences of creating deepfakes, and the resources available to them should their pictures be used in creating them.
Encourage Self-Sufficiency
Kids are growing up in a world where AI is normalized. While it can be a helpful tool, it is important to help them understand that they can perform the same tasks as AI. Encourage children to first use their critical thinking and problem-solving skills to try and find answers before turning to AI. Putting limits on screen time can also be a step to ensure children and youth aren’t overly reliant on AI.
Foster in Person Relationships
The disagreements, conflicts, and drama that come with friendships are important to a child’s development and social skills. These challenges help us develop our own problem-solving abilities and empathy. Encouraging in person friendships can help kids develop these social skills.
For more information, please refer to the sites linked below.