1.3a. Are there particular groups of children and young people who are more vulnerable to online harms, including those linked to AI? How are education and care settings supporting them to stay safe?
Background
The rapid integration of AI and digital tools into learning and care environments offers opportunities for personalised support and innovation, but it also raises questions about safety and ethics, and the reliability of information. At the same time, online harms, from misinformation to reinforcing stereotypes, are prevalent. This underscores the need for robust digital literacy skills that allows learners to navigate digital spaces safely. It is essential to understand how these factors interact, and their implications for teaching, learning and safeguarding, to make sure that education and care systems prepare children and young people for a digital future while protecting their wellbeing.
AI is beginning to influence practice across schools, further education and skills, early years, and social care settings. It offers potential benefits such as personalised learning, administrative efficiency, and enhanced safeguarding. However, we need to understand more about how education providers and social care settings are using AI, and what factors enable or hinder its effective implementation.
Next steps
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Topics
Related UKRI funded projects
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CHAILD - Children's Agency In the age of AI: Leveraging InterDisciplinarity
In today's rapidly changing digital world, children's lives are intricately intertwined with Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, permeating their experiences through various platforms like connected toys, apps, voice a...
Funded by: UKRI CRCRM
Lead research organisation: University of Oxford
Why might this be relevant?
The project specifically focuses on fostering children's digital autonomy and resilience in the age of AI, addressing the vulnerability of children to online harms linked to AI.
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Supporting the use of digital media in research with children and young people
This project will create an online resource about using digital media in research with children and young people. The resource will give guidance and support to researchers who wish to use digital media in their work. It...
Funded by: ESRC
Lead research organisation: University of Edinburgh
Why might this be relevant?
Partially relevant as it focuses on using digital media in research with children, but does not specifically address online harms or AI.
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Equal Education: e-learning lockdown solution
Equal Education is a social enterprise that provides tuition for children in the care system and those with special education needs and disabilities. There are currently almost 80,000 children in the care system in Engla...
Funded by: Innovate UK
Lead research organisation: EQUAL EDUCATION LIMITED
Why might this be relevant?
Partially relevant as it addresses the digital divide and online safety concerns, but does not specifically focus on vulnerable groups or AI.