The new “Talk” every parent needs to have this week
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.
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.
We created a profile of an 11 year old girl on a social media app. Within 5 minutes, we had received images of male genatalia. Cyberflashing is a growing threat to young children.
Has POPIA served to deter companies from using our children’s personal data or are they still receiving unsolicited messages?
Millions of people struggle to read, write, hear clearly, or express themselves confidently. Modern phones make communication so easy with built in features that are rarely used!
Australia is the first country to ban social media for children younger than 16 years old. This is a landmark legislation with negative and positive implications. Read about it here.
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.
Never give your children unfiltered access on the Internet on any device. Within a few clicks or finger taps, their lives could be destroyed forever and that is not an exaggeration. There are many tools that parents can use to protect their children from online dangers. This is a list of some of the most popular options available.