Parent group shares concerns over reports of 'AI misuse'

Delay Smartphones IOM reacts to police warning

Following the warning from police earlier this month that some young people on the Isle of Man were 'misusing AI', parents have told Manx Radio they're "shocked, but not surprised".

School Education Officers reported a 'sharp increase' in cases were pupils were 'bullying and ridiculing' their peers by asking Artificial Intelligence to create 'rude and offensive' images.

They even said some of the images created could be classed as sexual offences.

Well over the past year we've heard about a growing movement of parents who want others to delay giving their children smartphones - in part due to concerns about how they're interacting with others on social media.

Meanwhile, the UK Prime Minister last week said he wasn't ruling out a ban on British under-16-year-olds from accessing social media, like Australia recently imposed, saying "all options are on the table".

In light of all of this, Manx Radio has been catching up with John Bolton, Jessica Cross and Meghan Kennish from the Delay Smartphones IOM group:

Manx Radio has approached the Isle of Man Government for comment.

On the topic of parents feeling pressure from their child about potentially missing out on social experiences, Jessica Cross adds: "We completely empathise with your predicament and we understand that this must be exceptionally challenging as no one wants to make their child feel isolated. 

"You should feel empowered that you know that you are protecting your child and may be having that conversation that not all things available on a smartphone are safe with your child may help them understand. There are is some really useful guidance from professionals out there with solutions for these issues that may suit you, and I'd encourage any parent to go look at them. For example when first allowing them to have social media only allow it as a web browser as that is shown to be less addictive."

On the topic of a social media ban for under-16s, Jessica adds: "I'd be supportive of a social media ban for Under 16s as it recognises that social media is causing harm. However we can not rely on that as a solution, as we all know teenagers are rebellious and are likely to find ways around it that could be just as harmful. 

"Instead as parents, caters, teachers, government, we could use it as a tool to help and use the extra time that they are not wanting social media for to have conversations around what's online, how to keep safe, how to behave when they get access etc. I also think that we have to be considerate that if a platform emerges that does prioritise safety and social connection for the young that it is not 'banned'."  

Listen to the full interview via Newscast below: