Parents overlook online safety risks as AI targets children

In today's digital age, it's virtually impossible to avoid the Internet. From social media and gaming to online learning and communication, children are exposed to the online world at an early age. Research suggests, while the Internet offers vast opportunities for entertainment, education, and social connection, it also presents significant risks. 

Here's the bombshell hitting schools: Kids are using AI "nudify" apps, a deepfake twist, to create disturbingly realistic nudes from fully clothed images of their classmates. 

In September 2023 alone, the social network monitoring firm Graphika discovered that 24 million people visited undressing websites. In 2024, research suggests there were almost 2,000% more links promoting undressing apps on social media, including X and Reddit. The apps use AI to recreate an image of a naked individual. Many of the apps only work on women. 

An estimated 500,000 predators are active online every day, according to the Child Crime Prevention and Safety Center. Kids between 12 to 15-years-old are particularly vulnerable to being groomed or manipulated by adults they meet online. Over 50% internet sexual exploitation victims are between the ages of 12 and 15, according to the FBI. It is estimated that 89% of sexual propositions made to minors take place in instant messaging or online chat rooms. The internet predator requested sexually explicit images of themselves from the child in more than 25% of all documented cases of exploitation.

Aggressive internet solicitations, including attempts to reach them in person or over the phone, are made to 4% of children. Furthermore, 58% of parents say they are worried about the risks that strangers present on the Internet. Between ages eight and 11, two out of 10 kids are aware of the problem and worry that strangers could discover information about them. Additionally, 40% of kids change their privacy settings on social media to gain more friends or followers.

Another issue is cyberbullying, which does its damage silently through DMs, leaving no visible wounds. A study conducted by the Cyberbullying Research Center surveyed 5,005 middle and high school students between the ages of 13 and 17 in the United States. Approximately 55% of the students experienced cyberbullying at some point in their lifetimes. About 27% admitted to being cyberbullied in the recent 30 days, with mean or hurtful comments posted online (30.4%), exclusion from group chats (28.9%), rumors spread online (28.4%), and someone embarrassing or humiliating them online (26.9%) were the most commonly reported.

Children are also at risk of encountering inappropriate content, such as graphic images, violence, and explicit material, often unintentionally. With search engines, social media platforms, and video streaming services, children can easily stumble upon content that's not age-appropriate.

While many platforms have content filters, they are not foolproof, and children may still access disturbing material. Content filters are notoriously ineffective, letting too much slip through. Harmful narratives seep into young minds, bending perceptions in toxic ways. Boys venture into "red pill" content—distorting gender views—and everyone battles the hazards of manipulated images. 

Children are often unaware of the importance of protecting their privacy online. In 2022, some 1.7 million children fell victim to a data breach, meaning one in every 43 kids had personal information exposed or compromised, according to a Javelin Strategy and Research survey. 

Predators, scammers, and even marketers may use this data to exploit children or target them with harmful content. Parents may also worry about their child's digital footprint, especially considering how online actions can impact future opportunities.

Today's kids need to be digital sleuths, trained to counter online threats. Schools and communities are on the frontline of this mission, raising a new generation of digital detectives. Dive into resources like Google's "Be Internet Awesome" and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's "NetSmartz," which provide engaging tools to prepare kids for the digital landscape. These and other educational programs are your copilots in guiding your child to become a savvy digital explorer. Keep the dialogue open—empower your kids to explore digital spaces wisely and safely. 

Home digital security starts with the basics: strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and regular updates. Privacy settings act as gatekeepers, keeping unwanted visitors from your child's digital doorstep. 

The time spent online can have detrimental effects on children's mental health. Children and adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of mental health problems, including experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. A survey showed that teenagers spend an average of 3.5 hours daily on social media.

Social media platforms, for example, often foster environments of comparison, leading to issues like low self-esteem, body image problems, and anxiety. When asked about the impact of social media on their body image, 46% of adolescents aged 13-17 said social media makes them feel worse. Furthermore, excessive screen time is linked to poor sleep patterns, reduced physical activity, and impaired social skills.