Viewing Generative AI and Children’s Safety (NSPCC)

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes a common part of daily life—from helping with homework to creating digital art—the NSPCC has published a report highlighting how we can keep children safe in this new digital landscape.

The “Double-Edged Sword”

The report describes Generative AI as a “double-edged sword.” While it offers incredible opportunities for innovation, creativity, and personalized learning, it also introduces specific safety risks that parents should be aware of.

Key Safety Risks Identified:

The NSPCC identified several ways AI can be misused to target or affect young people:

• Realistic Fake Content: AI can be used to create hyper-realistic but fake images or videos (often called ‘deepfakes’) used for bullying or harassment.
• Misinformation: Chatbots can sometimes provide “hallucinated” or incorrect information, which children may mistake for factual advice.
• Grooming & Manipulation: Perpetrators may use AI tools to generate convincing messages or personas to build trust with children more quickly.
• Data Privacy: Many AI tools collect vast amounts of data, and children may unknowingly share personal details with a bot.

NSPCC Recommendations for Families:

The report emphasizes that child safety must be built into these tools by design, but also suggests how adults can support children:

1. Start Conversations Early: Talk to your children about where they are seeing AI (it’s often built into apps like Snapchat, TikTok, and search engines).
2. Question Reality: Remind children that “seeing isn’t always believing” online and help them spot signs of AI-generated content.
3. Check the Sources: Encourage children to use AI for ideas, but to always verify facts with a trusted website or adult.
4. Open Door Policy: Ensure children know they can come to you without judgment if they see something strange or upsetting generated by an AI.

You can read the full NSPCC report and find more parent resources here: Link to NSPCC Learning Report