Misinformation to Mastery: Teaching Kids Critical Thinking with AI
Generative AI is a term that encompasses types of AI that create content based upon previous learning, so think ChatGPT and all the other flavours that now exist. It is something that has become very popular with children for various reasons. A recent 2024 Annual Literacy Survey revealed that 3 in 4 pupils are now using generative AI1, a significant jump from 2 in 5 the previous year.
Tools like this are very much a double-edged sword because they offer amazing potential for improving learning and creativity if used positively, but they also pose risks regarding misinformation, privacy and overuse.
I aim to cover some of the risks associated with Generative AI and also offer some advice on how you can support its safe and responsible use.
Let’s also not pretend that most of you reading this have probably already used AI to try and make your lives easier, so can we blame kids for trying to do the same? We must aim to make sure that they don’t get themselves into trouble by misusing the power of it.
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Risks
With everything in life, there are generally risks associated and Generative AI is no different. Understanding the risks is the first step on your journey to be able to safeguard your children in the digital landscape.
Fake News
Anybody who uses AI should know to fact-check anything that it produces; failure to do so has led to serious embarrassment for many people, ranging from solicitors seeking case law to Doctors looking for a diagnosis of symptoms. If you assume that the information it provides is accurate and trustworthy, then you risk impacting the ability to learn and, more importantly, understand any given topic. You need to understand critical thinking so that you can equip your children with the ability to analyse all information, regardless of its source.
Addiction
Now I don’t mean this in terms of always being on it! However, a heavy reliance on AI can, over time, subtly erode a child’s willingness to think independently. With AI consistently solving problems or completing tasks for them, it can hinder their ability to reason, analyse or form their own opinions. It is imperative to encourage independent problem-solving and thoughtful reflection as a key part of their development.
Dependancy
It is difficult to avoid AI these days as it is being integrated into more and more apps that are used daily, which can lead to increased screen time for children and less real-world interactions. This can lead to lower physical activity levels, disrupted sleep patterns and impaired social development.
Exposure
It is the internet, so guess what? That’s right, the dark corners of the internet still exist and AI models are trained on the vast datasets that exist right across the internet. Therefore, you need to keep in mind that AI can generate harmful or inappropriate content. There are also generative AI models that can create imagery and have already been used extensively by online predators to create CSAM.
Privacy & Data Security
The message I tell you to tell your children about sharing images, once you click send, it is gone and you have no control over it, it is the same principle here with their personal data if they feed it to AI they are exposing it to the world at large where it can be misused. Teach them good digital hygiene and emphasise that strong privacy controls are extremely important to protecting their information online.
Ethical Boundaries
Many adults don’t fully grasp the ethical implications of using AI, so it isn’t hard to think that many children may not understand the implications of using it to complete homework or other creative assignments. This could lead to accusations of plagiarism or dishonesty. AI Detection tools are widely used in all areas of academia now and have improved in their capability. Open communication about responsible AI usage and the importance of academic honesty are crucial for the young people of today.
Advice for Parents
Now that we have identified some of the risks, I am all about giving you advice that will help you to support your children to use AI in a responsible way that benefits them hugely.
Clear Rules
Set rules that are age-appropriate for when, where and how AI can be used; you have to reinforce these rules to assist your child in developing an informed and healthy relationship with a technology that is only going to become even more embedded in our daily lives.
Critical Thinking Skills
Encouraging children to question the accuracy of all information is a useful skill, but even more so with AI-generated information. Teach them about verifying both the information and its apparent source. This is an essential digital literacy skill, but it will also support them with better decision-making throughout their lives.
Open Communication & Supervision
It is important to have open and honest communication, as I always say, but it is equally important to have an awareness of how children are interacting with AI tools. Chat to them about their use of the tools and be prepared to offer advice if something doesn’t feel right or is concerning to you.
Privacy Awareness
Chat to children about the importance of keeping personal information private whilst online and how a lapse could seriously impact them and their future. Give them an understanding of privacy settings and explain that potentially any data they share with AI can become publicly accessible by dodgy individuals.
Generative AI is here to stay; it is becoming embedded in everything that we do and will only become more powerful as more people invest in its development. Embracing the positive aspects of AI is important, but understanding the risks is a must for everybody. You don’t want your child to be responsible for creating the next Terminator, am I right??
As always, thank you for your support. Please share this across your social media, and if you do have any comments, questions, or concerns, then feel free to reach out to me here or on BlueSky, as I am always happy to spend some time helping to protect children online.
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https://literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/research-reports/children-young-people-and-teachers-use-of-generative-ai-to-support-literacy-in-2024/
