“Risks to self and others in the digital environment in general”
The driving question I have chosen is: What are the risks to self and others in the digital environment? This question is deeply significant to me as both a parent and a future educator, because the reach of technology is vast and its risks are unregulated. What struck me most in the readings and podcasts was the extent to which young people are exposed to online dangers. For instance, a CNN article reported on a teenager who tragically took his own life after interactions with AI (CNN, 2024). This highlights just how influential digital technology can be on vulnerable youth.
I feel particularly uneasy about students relying on AI for social or emotional support. AI cannot replace human compassion or relationships, yet many teenagers are beginning to treat AI and chat bots as real friends (The Conversation, 2024). As a parent and future educator, I am concerned about young people losing vital social skills such as conflict resolution, teamwork, and empathy. While I am hopeful about technology’s ability to enhance learning in classrooms, I remain worried about the safety of young people using AI for emotional or social needs. My perspective as a photographer also heightens my awareness of deepfakes and manipulated images, which make it increasingly difficult to trust what we see online (The New Daily, 2023).
Technology certainly does have its benefits. It can provide equal access to resources regardless of location and ease administrative tasks for teachers. It may even support students with social anxiety. However, the risks outweigh the positives when technology is misused with remains largely unregulated. AI can easily miscommunicate, misinform, or even encourage dangerous behaviour, and users are left without safeguards that exist in face-to-face interactions. Humans working with children require specific training and clearance and AI is unregulated.
The literature reinforced many of my concerns. Podcasts such as Brain Rot highlighted how phones and AI are deliberately designed to hijack our attention, focus and mental health (SBS, 2023). Research also showed that AI companions are programmed to maximise and encourage screen time, prioritising profit over wellbeing (The Conversation, 2024). These findings aligned with my belief that tech companies are motivated primarily by revenue, often neglecting safety, of the vulnerable users. On the other hand, examples of technology supporting students with anxiety made me pause and consider that AI does have potential when applied responsibly.
Reflecting on this, I learned that young people are especially vulnerable when seeking connection online. AI does not have the ethical responsibilities of human educators, nor safeguards like mandatory reporting or child protection training. I was also intrigued by reports that some of the top-performing schools ban laptops altogether, focusing instead on classroom interaction and critical thinking (The Guardian, 2023).
As a future teacher, I want to highlight both the dangers and benefits of digital tools. One idea is to run a classroom activity where students must decide whether online images and videos are real or fake, sparking critical discussion. I also aim to balance technology with outdoor learning and teamwork, reconnecting students with nature and each other. My role will be to empower students to use technology wisely, protecting themselves while embracing its benefits.
References
CNN. (2024, October 30). Teen suicide highlights AI companion risks in lawsuit. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/30/tech/teen-suicide-character-ai-lawsuit
SBS. (2023). Brain Rot [Podcast series]. SBS. https://www.sbs.com.au/podcasts/podcast/brain-rot
The Conversation. (2024, July 2). Teens are increasingly turning to AI companions – and it could be harming them. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/teens-are-increasingly-turning-to-ai-companions-and-it-could-be-harming-them-261955
The Guardian. (2023, February 18). Top school bans laptops as a ‘scandalous waste of money’. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com
The New Daily. (2023, February 18). AI, deepfakes and internet manipulation. The New Daily. https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/life/2023/02/18/ai-artificial-intelligence-inte
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