AI in Children and Young People's Lives: Promoting Digital Safety, Safeguarding, Resilience and Wellbeing (25/02/2027)

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

AI offers opportunities for creativity, learning, accessibility and self-expression, but also raises important safeguarding concerns, including deepfakes, impersonation, AI-generated sexualised images, grooming, sextortion, misinformation, scams, privacy risks, harmful content and online abuse.

This interactive half-day session provides a focused introduction to AI literacy, AI-related safeguarding risks, and practical, child-centred responses for professionals working with children, young people and families.

Key themes

• What AI is and why AI literacy matters for safeguarding practice
• How children and young people are already using and encountering AI
• The positive potential of AI for learning, creativity, accessibility and support
• AI-generated content, including deepfakes, synthetic media and impersonation
• Key AI-related safeguarding risks, including image-based abuse, grooming, sextortion, scams, misinformation, privacy and harmful content
• How algorithms and personalised feeds can influence what children and young people see online
• Practical conversations with children, young people, parents and carers about AI and online safety 

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Understand key ways AI is shaping children and young people’s digital lives
• Recognise both the opportunities and safeguarding challenges linked to AI
• Gain awareness of key AI-related risks and their relevance to safeguarding practice
• Develop confidence to talk with children, young people, parents and carers about AI and online safety in balanced and non-judgemental ways
• Identify early intervention and prevention approaches that can support children, young people and families

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.