Learn how you can become an e-smart agent and stay safe online

AI can sound like it knows everything. But what happens when it gets something wrong? And what might your favourite apps be learning about you?

The digital world can be exciting, useful and full of things to discover. But it can also be tricky to navigate.*

That’s why experts suggest kids need to become “e-smart agents” – which is really just a name for people who know when to question, check and ask for help when something online doesn’t seem right.

According to the United Nations, children have the same rights online as they do offline. These include the right to privacy, safety and protection from things such as data tracking,* commercial profiling* and exploitation.* But in the real world, those rights aren’t always protected.

That’s one reason why being e-intelligent is important.

Professor Pasi Sahlberg, from the University of Melbourne, said e-intelligence is a kid’s ability to use digital devices, social media and AI wisely, safely and responsibly, while protecting their wellbeing, relationships and capacity to think and make good decisions for themselves.

Basic safety habits include thinking before trusting what you see online. That means questioning online information, checking sources and learning to recognise advertising, manipulation* and AI-generated content.

“Don’t just consume; create by using technology to make, investigate, solve problems and express ideas and protect yourself and your mates by understanding privacy, passwords, consent, cyber-bullying and when to seek adult help,” Prof Sahlberg said.

When it comes to AI, Prof Sahlberg said kids should know that AI creates answers, images and other content by recognising patterns in data. It does not truly understand, think or care as humans do.

Kids often use AI without even realising it. Their devices might recognise, recommend or predict things for them.

“For instance, when Netflix, Spotify or YouTube Kids suggests what to watch or listen to next, AI is learning from the kid’s previous choices and predicting what will keep them interested,” Prof Sahlberg said. “Another example is Face ID and photo apps in smart devices that use AI to recognise kids’ facial features, group pictures of the same person and sometimes improve or filter images automatically.”

Deakin University Associate Professor Luci Pangrazio said technology evolves and changes. Instead of developing a set of skills particular to one platform, she said we should be developing a critical* approach to our digital lives.

“There are a lot of wonderful things that digital technology can do but we need to know how to use it properly,” she said. “Understanding in a basic sense how technology operates can start from a very young age. Asking questions around what kind of information it’s collecting, who stands to benefit and who’s being disadvantaged is a good way to approach all digital technology.”

It’s also important to protect your privacy and make sure you’re not being talked into doing things that you might not feel comfortable with, which may not be allowed and which may even be illegal.

If children feel their privacy is being breached,* they should tell a parent, teacher or another trusted adult. They can also report online safety problems to Australia’s eSafety Commissioner.

“The problem is it’s hard to know when that’s happening,” Prof Pangrazio said. “But if someone is asking them to share information that doesn’t feel right, that should ring alarm bells.”

Of course, staying safe online isn’t, and shouldn’t ever be, left solely up to kids.

The Australian Government also has online safety codes and standards administered by the eSafety Commissioner that target tech companies, search engines and app stores to help protect children.

But while adults, governments and technology companies all have significant responsibilities and a big role to play, it can’t hurt to become a bit savvy yourself.

THREE GOLDEN RULES FOR BEING AN E-SMART AGENT

1. Protect your privacy

Control who can contact you, and block, report and ask for help when something feels unsafe or wrong.

2. Use technology in healthy ways

Use the internet to learn, create and connect, but turn it off when it harms your attention, mood, relationships, time outdoors or sleep.

3. Agree on family rules

These could include keeping devices away during meals and family conversations.

The eSafety Commissioner – Australia’s government organisation for online safety – can sometimes work with websites and apps to have harmful posts, photos or videos removed. Please tell a trusted adult if online content has concerned or upset you. You can also contact Kids Helpline, where friendly counsellors are available 24 hours a day to listen and help. You can call 1800 55 1800 or chat with them online.

POLL

GLOSSARY

navigate: to find your way through an area, place, or system

tracking: following, pursuing, or monitoring someone or something

profiling: collecting data, characteristics, or behavioural patterns about a person or group

exploitation: treating a person unfairly to gain an advantage, or using a resource selfishly and purely for profit

manipulation: the control, handling, or influence of people, things, or data

critical: doing careful analysis or evaluation

breached: to violate a law or agreement

EXTRA READING

Part 9: Your data, your rules

Part 10: Reality check during elections

Part 11: Copyright, fair dealing and creative reuse

QUICK QUIZ

What are a child’s online rights, according to the United Nations?

What is one basic safety habit all children should follow when online?

Think of some ways you may be using AI without even realising it

What can you do if you feel your privacy has been breached online?

When should you turn the internet off?

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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

Refer to the accompanying Digital Media Literacy Education Kit classroom workbook with 24 activities. It’s FREE when teachers sign up to receive to free weekly Kids News newsletter.