The Role of AI in Child Safety: Building a Safer Internet for Kids

 

AI is already part of our lives—helping stream our favorite shows, suggesting fun games, and even answering questions through chatbots. When used responsibly, AI can help children learn, explore, and be creative. But if designed poorly, it can be addictive, unfair, or unsafe.

At Fundamentally Children, our child development experts work with tech companies to ensure AI helps, rather than harms, children. I’m sharing some of our learnings and advice about how AI can be a force for good—and what needs to change to make it safer for kids, so everyone can benefit…

 

How AI Can Help Children

AI can make life easier and learning more fun! Here are some great ways it already helps kids:

 

🎓 Smart Learning Tools

• AI can adjust to how each child learns, making schoolwork more fun and engaging.
• Apps like AI-powered tutors help with reading, maths, and languages at the right level for each child.

 

🎮 Safer and More Inclusive Play

• AI can make games and toys more interactive and personalised.
• It can help children with disabilities play games in new ways, like using voice or eye-tracking instead of controllers.

 

🛡️ Protecting Children Online

• AI can help block harmful content, keeping kids away from things they shouldn’t see.
• AI-powered filters and chatbots can make sure kids are talking to real, safe friends instead of strangers.

When designed well, AI can make the internet a better place for children. But not all AI is created with kids in mind, and that’s where problems start.

 

 

The Dangers of Bad AI for Kids

When AI is designed poorly or used unfairly, it can cause real problems:

 

⚠️ It Can Collect Too Much Personal Information

• Some AI apps track what children do online, gathering private details without asking.
• Solution: AI should keep kids’ data safe and only collect what’s really needed.

 

⚠️ It Can Be Unfair

• AI learns from the internet, but sometimes the internet is biased (unfair).
• If an AI only learns from one type of person, it might not work well for others.
• Solution: AI should be tested properly to make sure it treats all children fairly.

⚠️ It Can Make Kids Stay Online Too Long

• Some AI-powered apps trick kids into staying on screens for hours.
• Games and social media use AI to keep people hooked with never-ending videos and rewards.
• Solution: AI should help kids balance their screen time, not just keep them online.

Bad AI doesn’t have to be this way. If tech companies work with child experts, they can build AI that protects, educates, and supports children.

 

 

How We Can Make AI Better for Kids

At Fundamentally Children, we believe AI should follow a few simple rules to be safe and good for kids.

 

✅ AI should help children grow holistically, not just keep them on screens (check out our Balanced Play Diet model).
✅ It should protect children’s privacy and keep their data safe.
✅ It should be fair to all children, no matter their background.
✅ It should be designed with input from children and help from experts.

 

Practically, this means AI should:

🎯 Support real-world play, not just digital entertainment.
🛑 Make sure kids don’t stay online too long.
🔍 Give parents and teachers clear controls to guide kids’ experiences.

If tech companies follow these steps, AI can be a tool that makes children’s lives better—not worse.

 

 

What the Tech Industry Needs to Do

To make the internet safer and more exciting for children, we need big tech companies to step up:

 

🔹 Work with children and co-create tools that will meet their needs – use child development experts to design and facilitate the co-creation sessions.
🔹 Create fair and ethical AI, avoiding bias or unfair decision-making.
🔹 Be open about how AI works, so parents and teachers understand it better.
🔹 Put children’s safety above commercial interests

AI isn’t good or bad on its own. It depends on how we use it. Together, we can shape AI into a force that helps children thrive.

 

 

Build a Better Digital Future

AI is changing the way we learn, play, and connect—but it’s up to us to make sure it works in children’s best interests.

At Fundamentally Children, we work with parents, teachers, and tech companies to make sure AI is safe, fair, and fun for kids. We want to see a future where AI helps children explore their creativity, learn better, and stay safe online.

So, this Safer Internet Day, let’s ask: How can we make AI work for children, not against them?

Let’s create a world where AI empowers, not exploits, young minds.

 

👉 Tech companies: If you’re developing AI for children, let’s work together to make it safe, ethical, and fun!

🚀 Parents and educators: Stay informed and push for responsible AI in children’s products!