Safer Internet Day takes place this year on the 10^th February, with the theme ‘Smart tech, safe choices’, focusing on the safe and responsible use of AI. AI is now woven into our everyday lives, from the algorithms that shape our social media feeds, to voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, and tools like as Copilot, ChatGPT, and Gemini.

This year’s theme explores the impact of AI on our lives, how AI can be used for good, and how people can be empowered to use AI safely and responsibly.

This blog will cover information about supporting children and young people to develop the skills and confidence to make safe choices when using AI.

Why This Matters

Having conversations with young people about how they are using AI platforms can help to:

• Reduce exposure to online harms or misinformation
• Promote healthy digital habits & boundaries
• Build resilience, enabling young people to navigate online spaces safely
• Support mental wellbeing by encouraging positive and empowered use of technology

AI Skills Checklist

Below you’ll find a checklist of some of the things that children and young people want to be thinking about when they are using AI.

 

Thinking Critically About AI

Here are some examples of the types of harms children and young people might encounter when using AI and what a supportive response could look like.

Dependency

• What this looks like: Over-reliance on AI for homework, personal dilemmas, or everyday tasks, reducing independent thinking.
• Support: Encourage trying tasks independently first, then use AI to check or refine.

 

Emotional Support

• What this looks like: Replacing trusted adults with chatbots can delay support and expose children and young people to inaccurate advice.
• Support: Validate their feelings, and explore safe alternative supports, including digital options.

Bias

• What this looks like: AI can generate answers that are shaped by incomplete or biased data, reinforcing stereotypes and inequality.
• Support: Encourage critical questions: Whose voices are missing? Who is not being represented?

Environmental Impact

• What this looks like: Using AI for everyday tasks instead of a quick search or thinking independently. Consuming larger amounts of energy and thus having a higher environmental footprint.
• Support: Help young people understand sustainable digital choices, such as saving AI for complex/creative tasks.

Deepfake and Harmful Content

• What this looks like: AI tools used to generate harmful content, such as putting faces of girls and women onto sexualised images.
• Support: Follow local safeguarding procedures immediately, support reporting to appropriate authorities/platforms, and offer emotional support.

 

You can download this Responsible Use of AI resource so you have all of this information to hand:

• Aye Mind newsletter – Responsible AI Use

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