AI is increasingly impacting our lives, posing challenges for parents trying to keep pace with the rapid changes. Families are faced with the task of guiding their children through a digital landscape saturated with AI, from social media interactions to school assignments and friendships, as highlighted during Safer Internet Day.
To address the question of how to ensure online safety in a world where distinguishing reality from deception is complex, we have teamed up with Tesco Mobile for 2026. As a sponsor of Safer Internet Day, our collaboration aims to encourage families to engage in open discussions through The Family Chat about smartphones, fostering a transparent environment for conversations about online safety within the home.
Renowned author and podcaster, Giovanna Fletcher, a mother of three boys aged seven, nine, and 11, along with her husband Tom, will be engaging with parents and children to explore the challenges they face in the digital realm. Our initial conversation will delve into the realm of AI, emphasizing the significance of Tesco Mobile’s Online Safety Hub in assisting parents with children of all ages, up to 18 years old.
Like many families, the Karleys – Anna, Emmanuel, and their children Joshua (13), Isaac (14), and Ruby (17) – heavily rely on their devices for connectivity. However, parents Anna and Emmanuel acknowledge their struggle in comprehending AI, which can put their children’s safety at risk. Anna admits, “I’m not good at spotting whether something’s AI. I’ve seen pictures and thought, ‘Ooh, that looks good,’ and then the kids will go, ‘That’s AI, Mum!’”
Even for the tech-savvy, identifying false content is not always straightforward. Joshua mentions, “Especially on TikTok, there’s so much AI, and it looks extremely realistic.”
In today’s educational landscape, where homework is predominantly conducted online, often with AI-generated research, both the Karleys and Giovanna encounter challenges. Giovanna observes, “I’ve noticed with my eldest being at secondary school that the homework is all computer-based.” She emphasizes the need for parents to continually assess the utility of AI in education, rather than demonizing its use outright.
To guide children in using AI safely, consider the following tips:
1. Explore AI Together: Engage in collaborative AI activities to make learning safer and enjoyable.
2. AI Isn’t Always Right: Encourage fact-checking and critical thinking to validate AI-generated information.
3. Check Age Limits & Privacy: Prioritize platforms suitable for children over 13 and review privacy settings together.
4. Talk About What’s Real: Educate children on discerning genuine content from fake news to build digital literacy.
5. Use AI as a Support, Not a Shortcut: Foster creativity and problem-solving skills alongside AI assistance.
The Karleys appreciate having a reliable source of guidance. Tesco Mobile’s Online Safety Hub offers practical resources and toolkits to facilitate discussions about AI safety with children. The platform includes age-specific tips for parents, developed in collaboration with the UK Safer Internet Centre, and engaging AI quizzes for the whole family to enjoy.
While the Karley family already prioritizes online safety discussions, they find Tesco Mobile’s Online Safety Hub invaluable in enhancing their efforts. Emmanuel remarks, “We can now look into it and learn more together, and see how we can support them better.”