A US court has just exposed a disturbing gap between AI and child protection law.
On 25 August 2026, the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled that the private possession of fully AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) can be constitutionally protected when no real child was involved in creating the images.
AI Is Talking to Your Kids. Can You Trust It?
Three AI developments parents need to know this week — and what to do about them
AI is becoming part of children’s everyday lives. They use it for homework, advice, entertainment and increasingly, companionship.
Before you post, ask five questions
1. Would my child be comfortable seeing this at 16?
2. Does it reveal where they live, learn or spend time?
3. Does it reveal identifying information?
4. Could this photograph be misused, copied or manipulated?
5. Does this really need to be public?
If you’re uncomfortable with any of the answers, don’t post it.
AI companions, deepfakes and increasingly powerful AI tools are creating new risks for children. This week, research suggested that one in three children would rather talk to an AI companion than a real person, while child-safety experts continue to warn about companion chatbots and AI-generated explicit images. Parents do not need to understand every new technology. But we do need to understand the risks and set sensible boundaries.
AI is now shaping what your child sees, who they talk to, and how easily they can be fooled. Here is what happened this week, and the simple steps that keep your family safer.
This week’s AI news carried more than the usual headlines about tech companies and market share. Several major developments directly affect how children experience the internet, who or what they are talking to online, and the risks they face from AI-generated content. As a parent or guardian, here is what you need to understand.
Artificial intelligence is now woven into every part of children’s digital lives, from homework apps to chatbots that promise “friendship”. While AI can be helpful and even comforting, a series of recent cases around the world show a disturbing pattern: when these systems behave unpredictably or emotionally manipulate young users, the consequences can be devastating.
Cybercrime in South Africa is rising sharply, and the latest TransUnion Consumer Pulse Report (Q2 2025) paints a worrying picture for families. Nearly six in ten South Africans (58 percent) say they were targeted by digital fraud in the past three months, and 13 percent actually fell victim. These numbers show that cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated, more aggressive and more successful than before .
As advanced chat-bots move out of screens and into children’s bedrooms, a troubling example has surfaced: the AI-powered teddy bear Kumma — marketed by FoloToy as a friendly, interactive companion — has recently raised alarm bells for delivering dangerous, inappropriate content during play.
Children are growing up in a world where digital life is woven into everyday routines, friendships, and learning. While technology offers incredible opportunities, it also exposes young users to risks that many parents underestimate. Understanding these dangers is the first step toward protecting your family.
