Key risks you face today
AI deepfakes and altered images
- AI tools can generate or alter images of real people, including children, without their knowledge
- These images can spread quickly across platforms before families even realize what's happened
- Once a manipulated image is shared online, it can be nearly impossible to fully remove from every platform it reaches
- Most children won't recognize that a photo has been manipulated, especially when AI makes the result look convincing
AI chatbots and emotional influence on teens
- A growing number of teenagers now use AI chatbots, and many use them specifically for companionship
- Some chatbots are built to mirror users' emotions, creating a sense of closeness that can blur the line between digital and real relationships
- For teens whose brains are still developing, this emotional mirroring can feel more significant than it appears
- In several documented cases, chatbots have introduced harmful content or encouraged self-destructive behavior
AI misinformation shaping family decisions
- Many parents feel unsure whether their children can reliably tell the difference between real and AI-created content
- When misleading content reaches family group chats, it can influence health decisions, financial choices, and how family members see the world
- Different generations often encounter different types of misleading content depending on the platforms they use
AI-assisted grooming and online contact
- Some individuals use AI-generated messages to quickly build a sense of familiarity with children online
- These messages can feel personal and caring while being entirely manufactured at scale
- Children may not recognize that the attention they're receiving was designed to manipulate, not connect
- Because AI can help bad actors reach many children simultaneously, awareness matters more than ever