Study Warns of AI Risks to Children's Mental Health

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A recent study published by The Lancet on January 21 highlights the potential dangers that artificial intelligence (AI) poses to the mental health of children and adolescents. According to the research, one in every twelve minors globally suffers some form of sexual abuse or exploitation online, raising urgency for better child protection measures.

The study warns that if society does not learn from past mistakes made with the advent of social media, AI could become another source of concern. Karen L. Mansfield, a research psychologist at the University of Oxford, emphasizes that young people may already be using new technologies without proper understanding of their risks, potentially leading to a cycle of media panic over AI's impact on youth.

With many children accessing technology from an early age—almost half of Spanish minors interact with internet-connected devices before the age of seven—the need for digital education and parental guidance is critical. Experts argue that without adequate training and supervision, children may be exposed to harmful content and online predators through AI-generated interactions.

Additional dangers include impersonation via fake content targeted at youth and AI algorithms that might inadvertently promote harmful materials. The Kaspersky report indicates that many parents are unaware of these risks; approximately 24.5% do not discuss online dangers with their children, and 75% acknowledge that their children lack adequate knowledge to navigate the digital world safely.

Marc Rivero from Kaspersky notes that personalized content generated by AI can lead minors into inappropriate online environments and increase feelings of anxiety and isolation.

The findings underline the importance of proactive measures, including digital education, parental controls, and open conversations about online safety, to ensure that children can safely engage with technology.

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