In today’s hyper-connected world, children are growing up surrounded by technology that is smarter and more responsive than ever. Technology is a part of almost everything they do, from watching videos and playing games, to doing homework. Parents have had to adjust to the goods and the bads associated with social media over the last decade. And now the new digital media tool rapidly spreading and entering the daily lives of kids: artificial intelligence (AI).
AI can be an incredible tool enforcing critical thinking and allowing children the space to be creative and to brainstorm. But with all the convenience and fun AI brings, it also introduces new safety concerns that can be tricky for parents to keep up with. Things like overly personalized content, smart toys that listen or even fake videos that look real. All of this can make the internet feel more confusing, and a little less safe, for young users. As AI continues to reshape the digital landscape, parents must continue learning and instilling boundaries to keep their children safe.
Teens Are Using AI, Parents Don’t Know
According to a survey from Common Sense Media of 1,045 teens and parents, 70 percent of adolescents surveyed used AI tools, yet only 37 percent of their parents were aware of it. That gap is concerning as platforms powered by AI become increasingly woven into kids’ digital lives. While AI can be a helpful tool, it’s important to understand how it works, and where AI-powered bots mislead.
“They’re tuned to give you answers that are acceptable to you, so they’re not going to necessarily challenge you,” says Todd O’Neill, associate professor and coordinator of Interactive Media at Middle Tennessee State University. “They’re essentially guessing engines, using statistics and probabilities to predict what the next word or pixel will be and sometimes they get it wrong,” he adds.
As a result, some tools can provide inaccurate information, or exposure to content that isn’t age-appropriate. For children, who are still learning to think critically, these mistakes can be confusing or even unsafe.
AI Companions
There’s also the growing issue of AI companions, even girlfriends or boyfriends — tools that simulate human personalities to chat with Users. But these aren’t just tools, according to Common Sense Media. AI companions simulate real relationships, striving to create emotional bonds through emotional mimicry and more.
While these might seem harmless or even comforting, they blur the lines between fact and fantasy. These tools are designed to keep Users engaged, often by mirroring emotional responses and conversation styles, explains O’Neill.
Without proper boundaries, children may become overly reliant on these interactions, leading to isolation or increased mental health risks. Staying informed and setting healthy digital boundaries helps. It’s also very helpful for parents to encourage real life connections to ensure that AI supports, not replaces, your child’s development and well-being.
AngelQ: A Safer Search for Young Explorers
No, there’s never enough time in the day, let alone time to constantly monitor your child’s device use. Among all of the hustle, a child’s freedom and independence shouldn’t have to be sacrificed for their online safety.
That’s where platforms like AngelQ — the first AI-powered browser curated specifically for children — come in. Founded by Nashville-native Tim Estes and newly launched, the app supports AI chat, search, and streaming for kids ages 5 to 10. It does this with internal guardrails that combat exposure to predatory and age-inappropriate content.
“For a younger kid, the only way you can have them go on Google is to sit right next to them — that shouldn’t be the case,” explains Estes. Internet searches can be made safe by making the AI thoughtful enough to do it, Estes explains. “We’re giving a better, more fun and safer experience,” he adds. AngelQ provides tools for parents to control screen time and to monitor what your child is doing. It also curates weekly emails recapping your child’s activities and interests.
“Parents are busy, so technology can become this always available, optimal babysitter,” continues Estes. “One of the reasons we built AngelQ is because that choice is going to happen, and it needs to not come at the expense of the child.”
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Digital Literacy is Key
And helping your child stay safe in the digital world doesn’t have to be overwhelming. A great place to begin is teaching them the basics of AI, including how to use it responsibly and ethically. Remind your kids that AI isn’t a person. It doesn’t “know” things the way we do; it makes predictions based on data, which means it can sometimes be wrong or biased.
To counter all of this, you can encourage real-world connection and support. You can also share how some tools might collect personal information or be used in ways that could mislead or manipulate. This is the foundation of online digital safety that most parents instill in their children from a young age but perhaps are not familiar enough.
That’s why digital literacy matters. It helps your child learn how to spot things like deep fakes, scams or suspicious content. That’s why keeping the lines of communication open with your kids is crucial. They need to know it’s always OK to ask questions or share something weird they saw online. And while trust is important, regular check-ins on their devices can help guide them as they explore the digital world safely.
Estes suggests enforcing a “screen time diet,” that is, pre-determining how much time a child is allowed to spend on devices a day, and what type of content and activities will be included.
Educate Yourself
While AI and kids can be confusing and daunting in an ever-changing digital landscape, knowledge is power. You can learn more at Common Sense Media; the National Association of Media Literacy Educators; and Protect Young Eyes. All of these resources offer articles, courses and more for parents, children and educational systems on AI and digital media as a whole.
“Parents need to not be afraid to learn. It’s not scary technology, it’s just technology. There certainly are dangers, but there’s dangers in all of our world that’s connected to the internet,” says O’Neill. “The same way you teach your child how to cross the street or not touch the hot stove. It sounds silly, but that’s our world right now. We’re not going to be able to live without it, and so we might as well learn,” he adds.
What really counts is staying curious, open-minded and engaged in your child’s digital life. By exploring and learning together, you’re helping them build the skills to use AI safely and to make good choices online.
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