The following is excerpted from an online article posted by Parents
AI-generated content seems to be everywhere these days—and yes, it’s very likely in some of the videos your baby or toddler is watching. “AI-generated videos aimed at kids are becoming increasingly common, especially on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, where content is often auto-generated to grab attention or maximize views,” says Titania Jordan, chief parenting officer and CMO at Bark Technologies and co-author of Parenting in a Tech World.
Inappropriate content
AI videos that haven’t been edited or monitored can easily veer into inappropriate content, including content that is violent or sexual, says Dr. Kollins. Not only that, but many platforms like YouTube don’t have good track records in terms of moderating content, he says.
“Not long ago, they were under fire for hosting countless videos that looked like harmless Peppa Pig cartoons but actually included disturbing scenes, like Peppa having her teeth pulled out by a menacing dentist,” Dr. Kollins notes.
Misinformation
Many kid videos are meant to be educational, but when AI is involved, there’s often no fact-checking, and kids may be flooded with misinformation. “AI ‘hallucinates,’ meaning it can confidently present false information as fact,” says Dr. Kollins.
If you and your child are used to trusting the information contained in a kid-centric video, you might easily be deceived and believe the information you see is factually accurate.
The phenomenon of AI-generated videos for kids is worrisome, for sure. But you aren’t powerless as a parent. Our experts share tips for navigating this new world we find ourselves in.
Teach your kids to identify AI content
Start by having a candid chat with your child about AI videos, including why they are problematic. Jordan recommends showing your child an example of an AI video and seeing if they can spot what makes it a fake. “Kids are usually surprisingly adept at identifying these types of videos,” she says.
Teach your kids to fact-check
It’s vital that you teach your child to always fact-check any info they find on the internet. This is an important skill—not just for AI videos—but for internet content in general. “For example, if your child sees an elaborate post claiming that their favorite baseball team just added a 10-year-old as a starting pitcher, tell them to Google it to see if any reputable news sources confirm it,” Jordan recommends.
Above all, as scary and disorienting the idea of AI-generated videos for kids is, you can use it as a learning opportunity and a time to engage in important conversations with your kids.
“The key is creating a safe, judgment-free space for those conversations,” he concludes. “This is new territory for everyone, but by normalizing those talks, you’ll help your family navigate it together.”