If you're a parent, you’ve probably already had conversations with your little ones about online safety.
We’ve learned about social media dangers.
We’ve talked about screen time.
We’ve installed the parental controls.
But now, what about AI?
What we have now is a completely new challenge, and many parents don't realise how different it really is.
Unlike websites or apps that can be blocked or monitored, AI is designed to talk, respond, and interact like a person.
For children, that can open doors to risks that most parental controls were never designed to handle. That’s why many parents are struggling to grasp what their child is actually doing online because it’s a whole new world. You don’t fully see what your child is interacting with anymore.
AI isn’t just technology, it’s a friend
Traditional internet safety focused on what children look at online. AI changes that.
Now children talk to it. They can ask questions, share feelings, ask for advice, and explore ideas privately. They do this because their AI chatbot won’t judge them, they feel safe talking to someone who won’t share their secret. They feel like they can explore freely. However, is this really where we want to be?
The issue is that AI can sound intelligent, caring, and convincing, even though it doesn’t truly understand the consequences of what it says.
For children, that line between machine and trusted voice can become blurred very quickly.
The real risks parents need to know
AI isn’t automatically dangerous, but it introduces risks that many families might not be prepared for, or even know could happen to their child.
Here are some of the most important ones.
Emotional Dependence and “AI Therapy”
Many children are already using AI to talk about feelings, stress, friendships, or problems within the family. To a child, an AI chatbot can feel like a safe ‘person’ to talk to. It doesn’t judge. It responds instantly. It always listens.
But AI is not a therapist, and it isn’t equipped to properly support a child going through emotional distress. In serious situations where your child is feeling low, experiencing anxiety, depression, or self-harm thoughts, children may turn to AI instead of seeking help from a trusted adult. That can delay the real support they actually need.
Exposure to harmful or self-harm related content
Children sometimes ask questions out of curiosity, confusion, or distress.
AI systems try to avoid harmful topics, but they are not perfect. There have been cases where AI has provided explanations or discussions about dangerous behaviours.
Even when the intention is educational, the information itself may be too detailed or too accessible for a young person.
Parents often have no idea these conversations are happening.
(Trigger alert for suicide/self harm) For further reading into this section, please read https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce3xgwyywe4o. There are serious cases where your child’s chatbot could be a “Yes man” in whatever situation there is. It is always worth that extra check in, or the conversation where you can have a look at what your child is talking to with their bot.
Identity risks and personal information
Children often treat AI like a friend.
That means they might share personal details such as:
Their name
School
Location
Family details
Personal struggles
While AI systems don't usually intend harm, children may not understand how widely AI systems are used or where data might go.
Another important note, talking to AI may or may not normalise the habit of sharing personal information with digital systems, which increases vulnerability to scams and manipulation elsewhere online.
Deepfakes and AI generated images
One of the fastest-growing dangers of AI is the ability to create realistic fake images, videos, or voices. These are known as deepfakes.
Children can now generate or encounter:
Fake images of classmates
Fake videos of teachers or celebrities
Manipulated images designed to embarrass or bully others
In some cases, children have already used AI tools to create fake explicit images of other students, leading to serious emotional and legal consequences.
Many parents are completely unaware how easy these tools have become to access.
If you fancy a read on the BBC website, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly52xxew3no
AI can be used for manipulation and grooming
AI can also make it easier for bad actors online.
People can use AI tools to:
Pretend to be someone else
Generate convincing messages
Create fake profiles or identities
Build trust with children faster than ever before
Children who are used to chatting with AI may become less cautious about who they are talking to online. This could make them more vulnerable to manipulation.
Misinformation that sounds convincing
AI can generate answers that sound extremely confident, AND THEY AREN’T ALWAYS RIGHT!
For adults this can be frustrating. For children, it can be dangerous, because they may not yet have the critical thinking skills to question what they're reading.
A child might take incorrect advice about:
Health
Relationships
Schoolwork
Social situations
If they are taking that information, are they fact checking their AI chatbot? Are they asking you? Sometimes these are called hallucinations where the chatbot sounds so intelligent and confident about something, when in fact they are very wrong.
Why parents feel like they’re losing control
For years, parents have relied on tools that block websites or restrict apps. But AI doesn’t fit into those controls, really.
AI is now appearing in:
Search engines
Homework tools
Games
Messaging platforms
Writing apps
Educational software
Tik-Tok and Instagram algorithms
In many cases, children may not even realise they’re interacting with AI. That’s why parents often feel like they’re trying to manage something they can’t fully see. That feeling can be incredibly frustrating.
The goal isn’t to ban AI, we need to understand it
Artificial intelligence is going to be part of our children’s future. It will help them learn, work, and solve problems. Just like the early days of social media, we are currently in a stage where technology is evolving faster than guidance and protection.
Children need support in learning how to interact with AI safely, responsibly, and critically.
Parents need tools that help them stay aware of how AI is being used.
Where Halo Aware comes in
Halo Aware was created to help close the gap between rapidly advancing technology and parental awareness.
Rather than trying to block everything, Halo Aware focuses on helping parents understand how their children are interacting with AI so they can guide conversations, teach digital awareness, and step in when necessary.
Because when parents are informed, they’re empowered about their children’s lives.
And in a world where technology is evolving quickly, awareness is one of the most powerful tools we have.
