Parents' Guide to Generative AI

As AI evolves and becomes more common in daily life, it’s important for families to talk about it especially as research shows kids feel more confident and safer using generative AI when these conversations happen. Here’s a guide for parents to learn more about AI to help start those conversations.

7 Key Terms to Know about Gen AI

1. Large Language Models (LLMs): AI systems like ChatGPT that generate human-like text based on large data sets.
2. Prompt: Instructions or questions given to AI to guide its responses.
3. Chatbots: AI tools like ChatGPT that answer questions and help find information.
4. Deepfake: Digitally altered content (images or videos) that appears real but is fake.
5. Misinformation/Disinformation: False information that AI can sometimes generate, either unintentionally (misinformation) or deliberately (disinformation).
6. Hallucinations: When AI generates incorrect information and presents it as fact.
7. Bias: AI can reflect biases in its training data, leading to discriminatory content or reinforcement of stereotypes.

6 Common Concerns and Challenges

Generative AI tools offer many benefits, but also present several challenges:

1. Misinformation & Disinformation: AI can provide inaccurate or misleading information, often pulling from unreliable sources.
2. Privacy & Data Security: AI tools collect data, so kids should avoid sharing personal information. Parents should monitor usage and privacy settings.
3. Bias & Non-Inclusive Content: AI can produce biased content because of its data sources, which can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and affect kids' self-image.
4. Bullying & Harmful Behavior: Teens can misuse AI to create fake or harmful content (e.g., deepfakes) or engage in bullying.
5. Plagiarism & Academic Dishonesty: AI tools like ChatGPT can complete assignments for students, raising concerns about cheating.
6. Inappropriate Content: Despite safeguards, AI can still produce harmful or inappropriate content, requiring parental supervision.

3 Benefits of Generative AI for Teens

Generative AI has positive aspects when used responsibly:

1. Boosting Learning: It can provide quick explanations, language translations, and brainstorming for schoolwork, helping teens learn more efficiently.
2. Enhancing Creativity: AI can inspire new ideas, assist in project planning, and offer suggestions to improve creative work (e.g., stories, art).
3. Improving Efficiency: Teens can use AI for organizational tasks, like drafting emails or reports, freeing up time for deeper learning or creative pursuits.

Tips for Talking with Kids About Gen AI

1. Take AI Test-Drives Together:
   Explore AI tools together to understand their uses and guide safe, responsible interactions. Example: Work on a school project or creative activity using AI to see how it can help in real-life situations.
2. Build Critical Thinking in Digital Spaces:
   Teach kids to question the AI's responses and compare them with trusted sources. Example: Have kids fact-check AI responses on topics they are knowledgeable about to develop a habit of verifying information.
3. Help Kids Understand Prompts and Wording:
   Show kids how to phrase their prompts clearly to get more accurate and useful answers. Example: Ask your child to write a prompt like "Explain climate change" and then tweak it to something more specific, like "How does climate change affect animals?" Compare the AI responses and discuss why wording matters.

You can read the original article from Common Sense Media: Parents' Ultimate Guide to Generative AI.