The Children of the World and AI's Impact on them.
While much can be said about AI in business, we must remember that AI exists not only in our professional world. Instead, it exists in the world of children and those too young to fully understand its implications - the good, bad, and worst it can bring.
AI and Education >
Safety Monitoring and Privacy Risks >
Exploitation and Surveillance >
Algorithms frequently promote content to users based on their age. Adults and parents in their circles will likely never see what they do online - this is done intentionally.
Top 10 Risks to Understand in AI and Children
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Privacy Concerns
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Online Safety Risks
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Psychological Impact
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Algorithmic Bias and Discrimination
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Loss of Human Connection
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Developmental Risks
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Commercial Exploitation
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Educational Inequities
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Surveillance and Control
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Ethical and Legal Challenges
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CASE STUDY: ZYN
Online ads targeting teens as young as 6th grade with nicotine products - purportedly to help reduce the stress of spelling bees.
While long known to be harmful and addictive, the challenges are two-fold: parents would normally never see the ad, and it is marketed to those age 12.
CASE STUDY: TIK TOK
Tik Tok has faced its share of scrutiny following online challenges by teens and young adults that have been outright dangerous and harmful.
While there was passage of a bill in the US to ban Tik Tok, its not likely to have any effect for years. So, the challenges will remain. Also, the ban was due to political concerns over data - not teen harm.
The 25 craziest TikTok challenges so far – and the ordeals they’ve caused >
A BIT OF OPTIMISM
STATISTICS FROM FORBES: THE ULTIMATE INTERNET SAFETY GUIDE FOR KIDS >
Cyberbullying statistics from DoSomething.org:
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27% of kids admitted to doing or saying something cruel to someone else online.
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Approximately 37% of kids ages 12 through 17 have been the target of cyberbullying.
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50% of LGBTQ+ kids have been bullied online.
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60% of kids have witnessed cyberbullying (and most ignore it).
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Girls are more likely to be both the perpetrators and victims of cyberbullying.
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Only one out of 10 kids will tell their parents they’ve been bullied.
Inappropriate content:
More than 50% of tweens (kids ages 10 to 12) have been exposed to inappropriate online content.
Extremist Recruitment:
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White supremacists
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Anti-semitic groups
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Racist groups
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Anti-LGBT+ groups
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Conspiracy theorists
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Anti-government movements
Terrorist Organizations
Terrorist organizations also use social media platforms to recruit kids to strengthen their cells.
Online Predators:
Eighty percent of predators are male, while 78% of victims are female, according to the Child Crime Prevention Center of Los Angeles. Victims can be any age.
LINKS AND RESOURCES FOR AI + CHILDREN
Please email us if you have suggestions to add to this list.
