Raising Generation AI

ChatGPT for Teens launched over the summer so Fiona explains what it is, how it knows who is a teen, and explains why parents can’t try it out.We also get into the new phone-free school requirements for English schools and colleges, AI slop and talk about those amazing videos filling social media from World Humanoid Robot Games.Plus your AI parenting questions and Holly’s AI hallucinations.Useful Links: OpenAI makes ChatGPT less 'human' for teens in new safety update - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxqz91n5n8oKeeping Children Safe in Education 2026 statutory guidance updates - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a9081309a177a1decf97b00/Keeping_children_safe_in_education_2026.pdfWorld Humanoid Robot Games - https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/c7vgvj6e1emo World's first patient to undergo live AI-assisted brain surgery has tumour removed - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjwg5n7y68xoSnapchat joins other popular platforms in fight against 'AI slop' - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c77g6dm5pr8o Find our website at raisinggenerationai.comWe're also on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.The music and graphics for this podcast have been created using AI. Credit to kaazoom for the catchy tune!

Meta's AI glasses and an Instagram AI feature that generated images from public photos, Holly and Fiona break down the privacy risks for parents in this AI parenting podcast.Recorded just before Meta pulled the Instagram feature, this episode looks at privacy, ethical design in AI products, whether these features are actually needed, and the risk of everyday bullying alongside more extreme misuse. As the final episode of the season, Holly and Fiona also reflect on how it's gone.New episodes return in September.Topics covered:Instagram's AI image feature, and why it was taken down after backlashThe privacy risk of bullying and misuse that's separate from the "worst case" concerns that got most of the coverageMeta's AI glasses and the privacy questions they raiseToy Story 5's messageReflections on the season and what's coming nextUseful Links:BBC News story on Meta taking down the new Instagram featureExplainer on Meta glasses and Kylie JennerBlack Mirror - Nosedive (season 3, episode 1)Find our website at raisinggenerationai.comWe're also on Facebook and Instagram.The music and graphics for this podcast have been created using AI. Credit to kaazoom for the catchy tune!

Do I need to worry about my son's AI companion?Fiona and Holly are joined by Professor Andrew McStay, director of Bangor University's Emotional AI Lab, to talk about AI companions and what's actually going on when a child forms a bond with one.Andrew shares research showing around 80% of UK teenagers have tried an AI companion, with about 30% using one more than once a week - and explains what that means for parents, what's worth watching for, and what isn't.Useful Links:Professor Andrew McStay’s research on AI companionsEmotional AI LabProfessor Andrew McStay’s websitecharacter.aiReplikaNomi.aiFind our website at raisinggenerationai.comWe're also on Facebook and Instagram.The music and graphics for this podcast have been created using AI. Credit to kaazoom for the catchy tune!

The UK government has proposed banning under-16s from holding social media accounts - but does it actually protect children from AI?Fiona and Holly are joined by child trauma psychotherapist Dr Catherine Knibbs, who isn't convinced the ban will work. They dig into what the ban is actually trying to fix, and whether removing access to named platforms touches the AI behind them - the recommendation algorithms widely described as addictive.Covers: the UK social media ban explained, AI and addictive algorithms, will the social media ban work, what parents can actually do regardless of how the law lands.Useful Links:Official Government announcementDr Catherine KnibbsWebsiteYouTubeInstagramTikTokFacebookFind our website at raisinggenerationai.comWe're also on Facebook and Instagram.The music and graphics for this podcast have been created using AI. Credit to kaazoom for the catchy tune!

AI-powered toys are heading for this year's Christmas tree and in toy shop aisles right now, but what are they actually doing when your toddler talks to them?Dr Emily Goodacre joins Fiona and Holly to dig into what AI toys, like Miko, mean for a young child's development, what data they might be collecting, and why a toy can't actually manage real social play the way a person can.Covers: AI toys and child development, data and privacy risks in smart toys, and why AI can't replace real social interaction for toddlers.Useful Links:Dr Emily Goodacre’s researchPedal HubMattel and OpenAI partnershipReport where AI toy went rogueAI Toy MikoSign up to our newsletterFind our website at raisinggenerationai.comWe're also on Facebook and Instagram.The music and graphics for this podcast have been created using AI. Credit to kaazoom for the catchy tune!