A recent government consultation in the United Kingdom, exploring potential bans on social media for individuals under 16, has sparked a wider debate among experts regarding digital harms. While traditional platforms remain a key focus, researchers are now advocating for an expanded scope to include generative artificial intelligence (AI) within any protective policy framework.
The consultation, initiated in response to growing concerns about online safety, initially concentrated on features prevalent in social media, such as addictive algorithmic feeds and age verification challenges. However, the Neuroscience, Ethics and Society (Neurosec) team at the University of Oxford emphasizes that a comprehensive approach to youth protection must acknowledge the rapidly changing digital landscape, which increasingly integrates AI-driven tools.
Beyond Traditional Social Media Concerns
Discussions around protecting young minds online have historically centered on issues like mental health impacts, the pressures of social comparison, and the intentional design of addictive digital experiences. These concerns remain highly relevant when evaluating young people's interactions with platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Nevertheless, the digital environment has undergone significant transformation. The current online world of today now incorporates much more than just these established social networks. The ubiquity of AI-based chatbots, for instance, is rapidly increasing, integrating into various aspects of young people's lives—from assisting with educational tasks to offering forms of companionship.
The Emergence of Generative AI and New Risks
Generative AI presents a novel set of challenges, particularly for adolescents, a critical period for developing social understanding, forging a sense of identity, and navigating complex emotional landscapes. The integration of advanced AI into daily life introduces urgent questions that policy makers and parents must address, including:
- At what age should young individuals be permitted access to AI systems capable of simulating friendship or even intimate relationships?
- What robust safeguards are deemed essential to protect developing minds from potential manipulation and dependency that could arise from interactions with artificial 'connections'?
Such technology raises significant questions about its potential impact on genuine human connection and emotional development.
Call for Broader Policy and Further Research
While the initial consultation addresses a crucial aspect of digital safety, experts argue that its efficacy will be limited without a forward-looking perspective that encompasses emerging technologies. The Neurosec team's research, which involves direct engagement with young people, consistently highlights the necessity of confronting these new considerations in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
Other voices also contribute to the ongoing dialogue. Alexandra Cocksworth underlines the critical importance of fostering real-world connections, suggesting a balance between digital engagement and authentic social interaction. Ali Oliver's insights further enrich the discussion around safeguarding children in an evolving technological ecosystem.
Ultimately, the call is for a policy framework that is both dynamic and expansive, capable of anticipating and mitigating the diverse and evolving digital harms faced by children and adolescents. This involves not only setting appropriate age limits and designing protective features for social media but also establishing clear guidelines and ethical considerations for the integration of generative AI into young people's lives.
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Source: AI (artificial intelligence) | The Guardian
