Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly shaping our daily lives, presenting a challenge for parents to keep pace with the rapid changes. Families are now tasked with guiding their children through a digital landscape where AI is omnipresent, from social media interactions to school assignments and even friendships, as highlighted during the recent Safer Internet Day.
In 2026, in collaboration with Tesco Mobile, a sponsor of Safer Internet Day, we are promoting The Family Chat initiative to encourage families to engage in open discussions about smartphones and foster transparent conversations about online safety within the household, aiming to alleviate the complexity of the task.
Giovanna Fletcher, an author and podcaster raising three boys with her husband Tom, will be engaging with parents and children to address the challenges they face in this digital era. The first discussion will revolve around AI and the valuable support offered by Tesco Mobile’s Online Safety Hub, catering to parents with children of all ages up to 18.
The Karley family, consisting of Anna, Emmanuel, and their children Joshua, Isaac, and Ruby, rely on their devices to stay connected like many other families. However, they acknowledge their limited understanding of AI, which can pose safety risks.
Anna admits, “I struggle to identify AI. There have been instances where I’ve mistaken something for real, and the kids have corrected me.” Identifying fake content, especially on platforms like TikTok, remains a challenge for them.
With homework increasingly shifting online, often incorporating AI-generated research, both the Karley family and Giovanna are grappling with this new norm. Giovanna notes, “As parents, it’s crucial to assess how we utilize AI for homework rather than vilifying its use.”
To ensure children’s safe usage of AI, consider the following tips:
1. Explore AI Together: Engage as a family to explore AI’s capabilities through collaborative projects.
2. AI Isn’t Always Right: Encourage kids to fact-check information provided by AI and question its sources.
3. Check Age Limits & Privacy: Stick to age-appropriate platforms and review privacy settings for safer digital experiences.
4. Talk About What’s Real: Educate children on discerning genuine content from misinformation online.
5. Use AI as a Support, Not a Shortcut: Encourage children to leverage AI for inspiration while fostering their creativity and problem-solving skills.
The Karley family values the guidance provided by Tesco Mobile’s Online Safety Hub, offering resources and toolkits for parents to discuss AI with their children effectively. This includes age-specific advice on promoting safe AI usage, developed in partnership with the UK Safer Internet Centre. The hub also features engaging educational AI quizzes from the UK Safer Internet Centre to involve the entire family in conversations about online safety.
Emmanuel expresses gratitude for the support offered by the Online Safety Hub, stating, “It has made it easier for us to learn together and better support our children.”