AI in Children and Young People's Lives: Promoting Digital Safety, Safeguarding, Resilience and Wellbeing (29/09/26)

Artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping the digital spaces where children and young people learn, socialise, create, play, communicate and seek support. It is now embedded in search tools, social media feeds, image and video creation, chatbots, homework support, recommendation systems, filters, games, apps and online platforms.

AI offers opportunities for creativity, learning, accessibility, communication and self-expression, but also raises significant safeguarding concerns, including deepfakes, impersonation, AI-generated sexualised images, grooming, sextortion, misinformation, scams, privacy risks, manipulative chatbot interactions, harmful content, online abuse and the amplification of harmful narratives.

This interactive full-day programme provides a deeper, practical and research-informed exploration of AI literacy, AI-related safeguarding risks, and child-centred, preventative and trauma-informed professional responses. Participants will take part in discussions, case studies, reflective activities and scenario-based learning to support safer conversations and professional practice.

Key Themes

• What AI is, how it is developing, and why AI literacy matters for safeguarding
• How Children and young people are using AI for learning, creativity, accessibility, communication and support
• AI-generating content and synthetic media, including deepfakes, voice cloning and impersonation
• Key safeguarding risks, including image-based abuse, grooming, sextortion, scams, misinformation, privacy and harmful content
• How AI, algorithms and personalised feeds can amplify harmful narratives, online hate, misogyny, racism and sexualised content
• How AI and online influence can effect trust, identity, relationships, body image and wellbeing
• Safeguarding responses and conversations with children, young people, parents and carers about AI and online safety

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Understand how AI is shaping children and young people's digital lives, relationships, learning, communication and online experiences
• Recognise the opportunities AI may offer, alongside the safeguarding concerns if may create, intensify or make harder to identify
• Build confidence in understanding AI-related risks, including synthetic media, impersonation, image-based abuse, grooming, sextortion, misinformation, privacy concerns and harmful content
• Consider how AI, algorithms and personalised feeds can influence what children and young people see, believe, share and normalise online
• Develop confidence in using balanced and non-judgemental approaches to talking with children, young people, parents and carers about AI and online safety
• Apply existing safeguarding knowledge to AI-related scenarios, using practical prompts and resources to support safer conversations, early intervention, prevention and practice

Resources

All participants will gain access to a bespoke WISE KIDS Padlet with AI-focused and related multimedia resources, guidance materials and web links to support further learning and professional practice.