The role of AI in online safety: How technology helps parents protect their kids

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the latest frontier of the technology industry. It has significantly disrupted many sectors, including online security.

It has brought new advancements to online security but poses some challenges. This article will discuss the role of AI in keeping your kids safe online.

• Malware: Malicious actors often abuse websites to install malware on unsuspecting kids’ devices. They do this by enticing kids to download malware-laden games, movies, music, and other favorite content.
• Inappropriate content: Kids can get exposed to content inappropriate for their age, such as adult movies and extremely graphic footage.
• Privacy invasion: Kids can be persuaded to share sensitive information online, which exposes their identity and leaves them vulnerable to hacks.
• Cyberbullying: Kids can face harassment, threats, and impersonation online, especially on social media platforms.
• Predators: Children can unknowingly interact with strangers who try to exploit or groom them.

AI has made real-time threat detection more effective than ever. AI-powered algorithms can analyze the websites your kids visit and identify threats like inappropriate content, malware, and cyberbullying.

Hence, you’ll be alerted to take swift action and protect your kids against these threats. When using a parental control app, you can set it to block such websites automatically.

AI systems work 24/7, unlike humans, who work limited hours. While humans remain crucial in detecting and countering cyber threats, AI has made the process much more efficient. It can identify threats and take immediate action or alert humans to take the required action.

AI systems are also highly scalable. They can simultaneously monitor multiple kids’ devices and alert you about potential threats.

2. Screen time management

Artificial intelligence can assist parents in setting proper screen time limits for kids. Parental control apps can use it to analyze how much time your kids spend on various apps, then suggest healthier habits they should adhere to.

You’ll have the final say on whether to implement these limits, so don’t worry about AI controlling your kids.

3. Detailed reporting

Thanks to AI, online security apps can provide detailed reports about your kids’ browsing habits, including the sites they visit and the time spent on each site over a specific period. You can use this data to detect and advise your kids against unhealthy browsing habits.

Your kids’ browsing habits change continuously, and online security apps can generate new reports over time.

These reports will help you formulate healthy browsing habits as your kids grow.

4. Cyberbullying and predation detection

AI helps social media platforms to monitor account patterns for cyberbullying and online predation. These accounts are then blocked to prevent harm to kids.

For long, detecting suspicious online accounts has been a game of cat and mouse, but AI has given social media platforms the upper hand.

5. Personalization

The uniqueness of AI systems is their ability to create personalized solutions. AI enables online security apps to adapt to your child’s usage habits and maturity level.

For instance, if your child surfs the web excessively, apps can alert you and suggest personalized recommendations to address this issue.

Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all. AI has placed personalization at the center of online safety.

You should still have open conversations and educate your kids about the risks of the internet.

Monitor their usage manually and block suspicious sites to prevent harm. Keep educating as your kids grow and develop new online habits.