Children Face Growing Risks from AI-Generated Misinformation Online

In an era where digital content shapes young minds, children are increasingly exposed to misleading information through AI-generated videos and chatbots. What might seem like innocent educational content on YouTube can contain fabricated claims about aliens on Neptune or ancient pyramids generating electricity—all delivered with convincing authority to impressionable young viewers.

The problem isn’t entirely new, but artificial intelligence has dramatically accelerated its scope and reach. AI now enables problematic content to be produced at rates that overwhelm content moderators, leaving children vulnerable even during limited screen time.

“Even children who are online only in small doses likely see false or inaccurate information that might deceive them,” explains researchers who study digital literacy among youth. This exposure happens through recommended videos and suggested content that can appear legitimate to untrained eyes.

Direct interaction with AI tools presents additional concerns. Popular systems like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google’s Gemini regularly produce factual errors and fabricate sources—a problem acknowledged by Google’s own CEO. Studies suggest more than half of AI-generated answers contain inaccuracies, yet these systems are designed to sound authoritative and confident regardless of accuracy.

This combination creates what experts call “a perfect storm” for misleading children, who may be particularly receptive to conversational, natural-sounding content that mimics human interaction.

Despite these risks, children’s engagement with AI technologies continues to grow. As digital natives, they often spend more time on devices than parents realize—typically underestimated by more than an hour daily. Research shows children are generally more familiar with new platforms like AI chatbots than their parents, sometimes turning to these systems for information they’re hesitant to ask adults about.

The stakes recently increased with Google’s Gemini becoming the first major AI platform to welcome users under 13 years old. This development makes proactive guidance more urgent than ever, according to researchers who study children’s digital literacy.

Fortunately, children possess natural capabilities that can help them navigate this complex landscape when properly supported. Educational psychologists point out that by ages three or four, children can already demonstrate discernment in choosing reliable sources of information, trusting those who demonstrate accuracy and knowledge.

“Children are born skeptics, but they need help translating it in a digital setting,” notes one expert. Studies show that young children systematically investigate surprising or counterintuitive claims on their own, but need guidance on specific online reliability cues.

Parents and educators can leverage this natural curiosity through several evidence-based approaches. When children ask questions, adults should not only provide answers but scaffold their thinking: “Great question, what do you think? What makes you think that? How would we find out what’s right?” This approach builds critical thinking skills rather than simple content absorption.

Context matters significantly in developing digital skepticism. Research demonstrates that children who have seen misinformation on a platform before become more likely to fact-check future claims from the same source. This suggests parents should openly discuss questionable content when encountered, modeling how to cross-check information across multiple sources.

“Show your child that you sometimes question the information that comes from the same platforms that they use,” advises media literacy experts. “Narrate the process of lateral reading, or how to cross-check a claim with different sources.”

Co-viewing media provides valuable teaching moments, particularly with advertisements that saturate children’s content. Discussing advertisers’ motives helps children distinguish between informative and persuasive content—a skill that continues developing through the tween years.

Teaching strategic disengagement may be equally important. The fast-paced nature of social media works against careful evaluation, requiring intentional habits of pausing and reflecting. Setting time limits and modeling healthy digital behavior can help children develop better practices, as research shows children’s screen habits typically mirror their parents’.

Emotional triggers also warrant specific attention. Experts recommend teaching children to pause when content evokes strong emotions, as sensational headlines and “rage bait” often exploit algorithms to maximize engagement at the expense of accuracy.

While children’s presence in digital spaces is inevitable, guiding them toward better habits offers significant protection. As one researcher concludes: “Like real surfing, starting young—and with a good instructor—may teach kids to keep their balance and steer clear of the roughest waves.”