Artificial intelligence (AI) is the latest development in the technology sector. This has brought about significant changes in many areas, including online security.
It has brought new developments in online security, but also brings some challenges. This article explains the role of artificial intelligence in keeping your kids safe online.
The risks children face online
Before we look at how AI improves online safety, it’s important to understand the risks children face when surfing the internet. This includes:
- Malware: Bad actors often abuse websites to install malware on unsuspecting children’s devices. They do this by tricking children into downloading games, movies, music and other favorite content with malware.
- Inappropriate Content: Children may be exposed to content that is inappropriate for their age, such as adult films and extremely graphic material.
- Privacy breach: Children can be persuaded to share sensitive information online, revealing their identity and leaving them vulnerable to hacker attacks.
- Cyberbullying: Children can be exposed to harassment, threats and identity theft online, especially on social media platforms.
- Predator: Children may unknowingly come into contact with strangers who try to exploit or groom them.
How artificial intelligence improves online security
1. Real-time threat detection
Artificial intelligence has made real-time threat detection more effective than ever. AI-based algorithms can analyze the websites your children visit and identify threats such as inappropriate content, malware and cyberbullying.
Therefore, we recommend that you act quickly and protect your children from these threats. If you use a parental control app, you can set it to automatically block these websites.
AI systems work 24 hours a day, unlike humans who have limited working hours. While humans continue to play a critical role in detecting and defending against cyber threats, artificial intelligence has made the process much more efficient. It can detect threats and take immediate action or alert people so they can take necessary action.
Artificial intelligence is also highly scalable. You can monitor multiple children’s devices at the same time and warn them about possible threats.
2. Screen time management
AI can help parents set appropriate time limits for their children’s screen time. Parental control apps can use this to analyze how much time your kids spend on different apps and then suggest healthier habits to maintain.
You have the final say on whether or not these limits apply. So don’t worry about AI controlling your kids.
3. Detailed reports
Using artificial intelligence, online safety apps can provide detailed reports on your children’s browsing habits, including websites visited and time spent on each website over a period of time. You can use this information to identify your children and warn them about unhealthy surfing behavior.
Your children’s browsing habits are constantly changing, and online safety apps can generate new reports over time.
These reports will help you develop healthy browsing habits as your children grow.
4. Detection of cyberbullies and predators
Artificial intelligence helps social media platforms monitor account patterns to detect cyberbullying and online fraud. These accounts are then blocked so as not to harm children.
Spotting suspicious online accounts has long been a cat-and-mouse game, but artificial intelligence has given social media platforms the upper hand.
5. Personalization
The uniqueness of AI systems lies in their ability to create personalized solutions. Artificial intelligence allows online safety apps to adapt to your child’s usage habits and maturity level.
For example, if your child surfs the Internet too much, apps can alert you and provide personalized recommendations to solve the problem.
The time for one-off solutions is over. Artificial intelligence has put personalization at the heart of online security.
challenges
While AI offers many online security benefits, it is not a complete solution. Parents using AI to protect their children online face the challenges below.
1. Privacy issues
Artificial intelligence can monitor your children’s browsing activity to detect threats. However, this information is usually sent to external servers for analysis, revealing your children’s online habits to third parties.
Make sure any parental control apps come from a reputable company with no history of data breaches or malicious practices. For example, some online security apps sell anonymous user data to third-party advertisers.
Do your research when choosing a parental control app and make sure you choose one with top-notch security practices to protect user data.
2. Superstition
Parents may rely too much on AI systems for online protection, but this is the wrong approach.
Despite its rapid disruption, AI is still in its infancy and suffers from vulnerabilities associated with early-stage technology. For example, it can falsely label websites as safe and block your children’s browsing sessions. Despite its powerful capabilities, AI cannot detect all online threats.
As a parent, you should not consider AI as a substitute for monitoring your children’s online activities and ensuring safe interactions. Rather, it is an assistant that multiplies your productivity.
You should always have open conversations and educate your children about the dangers of the Internet.
Manually monitor your usage and block suspicious websites to prevent harm. Educate yourself as your children grow and develop new online habits.
Best practices for using artificial intelligence in online security
1. Stay informed
Stay up-to-date on the latest cyber threats. Read articles and reports to learn about new cyber threats and how to protect children from them.
This can give you a head start on problems that AI systems are unaware of.
2. Education
As mentioned above, AI is not a substitute for educating children about internet safety. Educate your children about the dangers of the Internet and why they need to protect themselves.
See security from the perspective of being able to use the Internet without stress.
Discuss policies such as online gaming, social media and website restrictions. That way, your children will understand why they are being protected, rather than assuming they are being restricted unnecessarily.
3. Choose reliable systems
Be careful with the parental control tools you install on your child’s device. Do not download any program without knowing its privacy practices and past security history.
Avoid tools from companies that are difficult to identify or have a history of lax security practices.
The good news is that existing reliable parental control apps have integrated AI into their features. Therefore, you can download these reliable tools and provide your children with advanced online protection.
