Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly shaping our daily lives, posing challenges for parents trying to keep up with the rapid changes. Families are now tasked with guiding their children through a digital landscape saturated with AI, from social media interactions to school assignments and friendships, as underscored by the recent observance of Safer Internet Day.
One pressing question is how to ensure online safety for children amidst the difficulty of discerning reality in the digital realm. To address this concern, in 2026, we have teamed up with Tesco Mobile, a key supporter of Safer Internet Day, to advocate for family conversations through The Family Chat initiative. The aim is to facilitate open and candid discussions within households about smartphones and online safety, aiming to alleviate the sense of overwhelm.
Renowned author and podcaster Giovanna Fletcher, a mother of three boys aged seven, nine, and 11, alongside her husband Tom, will engage with parents and children to delve into the challenges they face. The initial dialogue will focus on AI and emphasize the significance of Tesco Mobile’s Online Safety Hub as a valuable tool for aiding parents with children of all age groups, up to 18 years old.
Similar to many families, the Karleys—comprising Anna, Emmanuel, and their children Joshua (13), Isaac (14), and Ruby (17)—rely heavily on their devices for connectivity. However, Anna and Emmanuel confess that they sometimes struggle to comprehend AI, putting them at a disadvantage in terms of ensuring safety. Anna acknowledges, “I’m not adept at identifying AI; there have been instances where I’ve admired images only for my kids to point out, ‘That’s AI, Mum!'”
Even distinguishing between authentic and fabricated content proves challenging for them. Joshua notes, “Particularly on platforms like TikTok, the prevalence of AI-generated content that appears incredibly realistic is striking.”
With homework increasingly shifting to online platforms, often utilizing AI-generated resources, both the Karley family and Giovanna face this evolving reality. Giovanna observes, “With my eldest now in secondary school, I’ve noticed that assignments are predominantly computer-based.” She stresses the importance for parents to continually assess how AI is utilized in education, rather than vilifying its use outright.
Here are some tips for guiding children in utilizing AI safely:
1. **Explore AI Together**: Collaborate as a family to experiment with AI in creative endeavors.
2. **AI Isn’t Always Right**: Encourage fact-checking and scrutinizing the sources of information provided by AI.
3. **Check Age Restrictions & Privacy Settings**: Adhere to age requirements and review privacy configurations on trusted platforms together.
4. **Discuss Authenticity**: Engage children in conversations about discerning real content from manipulated or false information.
5. **Utilize AI as a Tool, Not a Crutch**: Encourage critical thinking and creativity over dependency on AI for solutions.
Anna and Emmanuel appreciate having a reliable source like Tesco Mobile’s Online Safety Hub for guidance. The platform offers accessible resources and toolkits to aid parents in addressing AI-related discussions with their children. It includes tailored advice on age-appropriate conversations about the safe utilization of AI, developed in collaboration with the UK Safer Internet Centre. Additionally, the hub features engaging AI quizzes from the UK Safer Internet Centre to involve the entire family in constructive conversations.
While the Karley family already actively discusses online safety, they find that Tesco Mobile’s Online Safety Hub enhances their efforts. Emmanuel remarks, “It allows us to delve deeper into the subject together, enhancing our support for the children.”