Artificial intelligence-created material appears to have entered almost every online site—including certain videos that your infant or young child is viewing.
Verified by Sarah Scott
Key Takeaways
- Videos created by AI for children are becoming increasingly common, and some contain misleading or incorrect content.
- These videos may appear enjoyable and innocent, but they could potentially teach your child inaccurate or unsafe information.
- You can safeguard your child by utilizing parental controls, watching content together, and educating them on distinguishing between real information and AI-generated material.
Comedian and father Alex Pearlman has recentlyshared on his socialsOne afternoon, while he tried to spend time with his young child and watch YouTube Kids, he observed that one of the recommended videos was derived from a book he frequently reads to his child...but it was entirely created by artificial intelligence.
The pages of the book had become animated through AI, without the approval of the book publisher. Furthermore, it was one of those books designed for young children that displays images of different objects (cups, balls, cups, bananas, and more) along with their corresponding words. However, in this instance, the AI voices were mispronouncing the words. So, an educational book was being utilized to mislead a child. Not very good, right?
"If you're a parent now, you're in a difficult situation, as you must ensure you are aware of and comprehend the source of the information being introduced into your toddler's mind," Pearlman states.
AI-generated contentis prevalent these days—and yes, it's probably in some of the videos your baby or toddler is viewing. "Artificial intelligence-created videos targeted at children are becoming more frequent, particularly on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, where content is often automatically generated to attract attention or boost views," saysTitania Jordan, chief parenting officer and chief marketing officer at Bark Technologies and co-author ofRaising Children in a Digital Age
If the thought of your child viewing AI-created videos makes you uneasy as a parent, we understand. That's why we spoke with three parenting and technology experts to find out the real story onAI videos for kids, including how to identify them, why they may cause issues, and what steps to take to safeguard your children from potential dangers.
Things to Understand About AI-Generated Videos for Children
Even though it's difficult to determine precisely how widespread AI videos for children are, it's definitely true that they are everywhere, with more being added every day. This is because AI videos are simple to create, and most of theplatformswhere children observe them are not able to completely control their spread.
"Content created by AI for children is becoming increasingly prevalent daily due to the affordability, availability, and simplicity of the tools," saysScott Kollins, PhD, a psychologist and chief medical officer at a family online safety companyAuraThe outcome is a surge of easily made videos aimed at generating clicks and advertising income.
So, in what way can you determine if something your child is watching was created using AI?
AI content for children often mirrors your child's favorite television program or a well-known lullaby, explainsNatalie Bidnick Andreas, EdD,A communication studies assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in teaching and researching AI, digital communication, and media literacy. "However, if you observe carefully, you might spot robotic-sounding voiceovers, lip-syncing that's a bit inaccurate, or animations that don't move naturally," she explains.
Another indication it could be AI? "Many of these channels release new collections every day, which is another sign of automated processes," says Dr. Andreas.
In general, AI videos often portray unrealistic scenarios. They could display a bed constructed from marbles or clouds, or show well-known individuals in situations they would never consent to, such as a politician socializing with their rival, according to Jordan. "The more bizarre a video is, the higher the chance it's fabricated," she notes. "At times, the absurdity is intentional: You're certain to halt your scrolling if you encounter a golden retriever preparing an omelet in a French restaurant."
Ultimately, a clear indicator that content is created by AI is when hands and eyes appear unusual. "These elements are the most challenging to replicate realistically, and they can quickly seem very strange or unrealistic," Jordan explains.
Risks Associated with AI Videos for Children
Artificial intelligence presents various significant dangers to children. Below are some major issues highlighted by professionals.
Inappropriate content
Videos generated by AI that have not been edited or reviewed can quickly become problematic.inappropriate content, including material that is violent or explicit, says Dr. Kollins. In addition, many sites such as YouTube have not demonstrated strong performance when it comes to content moderation, he adds.
Recently, they faced criticism for hosting numerous videos that appeared to be innocentPeppa Pig cartoons that actually featured unsettling moments, such as Peppa having her teeth removed by a threatening dentist," Dr. Kollins points out.
Misinformation
Numerous children's videos aim to be informative, yet with the inclusion of AI, there is frequently a lack of verification, potentially leading kids to encounter incorrect information. "AI 'hallucinates,' which means it can confidently share false details as true," explains Dr. Kollins.
If you and your child are accustomed to trusting the content of a children's video, you may easily be misled into thinking the information presented is true.
Quality
The quality of the videos your child views is significant, as they help teach elements such as the craft of storytelling, expanding vocabulary, and ideas like kindness and teamwork. The videos your child watches also set a tone and rhythm that influence how your child absorbs information.
"Children require careful timing, simple language, and real educational benefits, which many AI-produced videos are missing," Dr. Andreas states.
Risk to and grandparents
Videos created by AI are not only an issue for children.
Our kids’ grandparentsare especially susceptible to AI-generated content. "Senior citizens may be more prone to AI-based fraud or false information, particularly if they lack familiarity with technology," notes Jordan. "In addition to scams, there's also the possibility of encountering confusing or deceptive material regarding political leaders, news stories, or other current topics."
However, it's not only older individuals or seniors who are at risk. Any adult may fall for false information encountered online, especially when it comes to self-help and health-related material.AI-generated health advice videos"or 'miracle cures' may appear credible but provide harmful and inaccurate details," Jordan points out.
What Can Do
The rise of AI-created videos aimed at children is indeed concerning. However, as a parent, you still have the ability to take action. Our specialists offer guidance on how to handle this evolving situation.
Instruct your children to recognize artificial intelligence-generated material
Begin by having an honest conversation with your child about AI videos, explaining why they can be concerning. Jordan suggests showing your child an example of an AI-generated video and asking them to identify what makes it inauthentic. "Children are often surprisingly good at recognizing these kinds of videos," she notes.
Use configuration options and family safety settings
Use whatever child-safety settingsare accessible to you. For instance, regarding YouTube, you can utilize YouTube Kids or supervised YouTube accounts, as suggested by Dr. Andreas. Additional useful options involve disabling autoplay and restricting your child's viewing to approved YouTube channels that you are aware do not incorporate AI-generated content.
"It's also important to keep in mind that avoiding YouTube completely is a possibility, particularly for younger kids, in favor of carefully selected streaming platforms or downloaded material you feel confident about," Dr. Andreas notes.
Instruct your children to verify information sources
It's essential that you guide your child to verify any information they encounter online. This is a crucial ability—important not only for AI videos but for all online content. "For instance, if your child comes across a detailed post stating that their favorite baseball team has signed a 10-year-old as a starting pitcher, advise them to search for it using Google to check if credible news outlets support the claim," Jordan suggests.
When your child becomes accustomed to verifying the information they come across online, they build solid media literacy abilities.
Build healthy screen habits
Healthy screen timeHabits are crucial. This could involve watching YouTube together with your child and showing them how to identify AI-generated content while viewing, as suggested by Dr. Andreas. Reducing screen time and prioritizing free play both at home and outdoors is equally important.
Have a family password
Having a family password is an effective method to guard against fraudulent activities. How exactly does this function? For instance, if you or another family member gets a questionable call, they can request the secret password from the caller before continuing, as Dr. Andreas recommends. This approach is particularly beneficial for grandparents, who are often targets of phone scams and other forms of deception, where individuals might pretend to be family members.
Create a judgment-free space
First and foremost, although the concept of AI-generated videos for children may seem frightening and confusing, it can serve as a chance to learn and a moment to have meaningful discussions with your children.
It's focused on educating your childrendigital literary skills, urging them to question what they encounter online—and ensuring they understand they can approach you if something seems unusual to them regarding online content, says Dr. Kollins.
The essential part is establishing a secure, non-judgmental environment for those discussions," he concludes. "This is uncharted ground for everyone, but by making these conversations routine, you'll assist your family in dealing with it as a unit.
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