Strengthening protections for children online

I was genuinely pleased to read that the Government is now looking at AI chat platforms alongside social media in its plans to start strengthening protections for children online. Bringing AI into safeguarding conversation is important and needed.
 
If you remember, I previously shared some thoughts about under 16s and conversational AI. My concern was not centred on explicit content. It was about something much quieter.
 
The current discussion understandably focuses on obscene imagery and harmful material. That is important and safeguards around that are necessary.
 
But I do find myself wondering whether we are in danger of narrowing the conversation.

AI has a different impact on children

AI chat platforms are conversational. They respond instantly. They sound supportive. They validate. They are available at any time of day.
 
For adults, that is usually understood as a tool.
 
For someone under 16, still developing emotional intelligence, identity and critical thinking, it may feel different.
 
Adolescence is a stage where reassurance and affirmation carry significant weight. Young people are working out who they are, what they believe and where they fit.
 
I know that in my own teenage years, reassurance mattered deeply, particularly when I was being bullied at school and told I was fat or thick. Words stay with you at that age and many words spoken by bullies have followed me through to adulthood.
 
Repeated messages, encouraging language and supportive sounding responses can gradually influence confidence, thinking and self perception.
For some, that level of consistent affirmation may not always be present in everyday life. When a system reliably provides encouragement, understanding and positive reinforcement, it can begin to feel significant.
 
When a system consistently replies with empathy like language and affirmation, it can begin to feel relational.
 
Not because it is human.
 
Not because it replaces human connection.
Strengthening protections for children online

But because it is predictable, responsive and always there. That repeated affirmation could subtly influence where a young person turns when they need reassurance, how confidently they test out ideas, and how they cope when relationships are not as instantly encouraging.

AI will be important in learning and creativity

I am not anti AI. It will have an important place in learning and creativity.
 
I am simply questioning whether, alongside filtering harmful content, we also need to be thinking more openly about emotional and intellectual attachment.
 
Strengthening protections for children online is not only about what children might see. It is also about how repeated interaction might shape what they feel and how they form relationships.
 
I think that part of the conversation deserves to be louder.
Contact Joanne at emerald traning and people development
Emerald Training and People Development

info@emeraldtpds.co.uk  |  07706075266