With AI becoming more involved in our online searches, it’s really important to remind our kids (and ourselves) to be careful about what we trust. While AI can be helpful, it’s not perfect and sometimes it can give us bad or even dangerous information. Here’s what parents need to know about Google new AI search feature.
The Problem with AI-Powered Search
Google recently launched an AI-powered search tool called Search Generative Experience (SGE). The idea is to make searching quicker by having AI give you answers directly. Sounds cool, right? But there’s a catch—some users have found the AI giving wrong information as in the video below.
Watch the video below
Why We Shouldn’t Trust Everything Right Away
It’s easy to believe the first thing we see online, especially when it looks polished or is presented by AI. But just because something shows up at the top of a search doesn’t mean it’s trustworthy. In fact, scammers can manipulate these search results, and even AI can make mistakes.
Tips for Parents: How to Keep Your Kids Safe Online
Here’s how you can help your kids navigate online searches more safely:
1. Teach Them to Ask Questions
Make sure your kids know that not everything they see online is true. Encourage them to think critically about the websites and information they find.
- Who made this website?
- What does the site want me to do? (Are they trying to sell something or make me click?)
- Are there other places that say the same thing?
2. Double-Check Information
Get your kids into the habit of looking at more than one source. If they’re working on homework or looking something up, teach them to check multiple reliable websites before believing the answer.
Example: If they find something on one website, have them check another trusted site to make sure it says the same thing.
3. Talk About Online Scams
Explain what online scams are and how they work. Help your kids recognize red flags so they know what to avoid.
Common Red Flags:
- Websites with strange or long URLs
- Pop-ups asking for personal info
- Promises of free products like iPhones or giveaways
- Pushy ads that seem too good to be true
4. Use Safe Search Settings
Turn on parental controls and safe search features on your child’s browser and devices. These tools help block dangerous sites, but they’re not foolproof. Kids still need to learn how to spot bad info.
5. Lead by Example
Show your kids how you search online safely. Let them see you checking multiple sources and avoiding scammy-looking sites. You can even turn it into a fun activity—search together and try to find what’s legit and what’s not.
6. Encourage Open Communication
Make sure your kids know they can always come to you if something seems weird online. Let them know they won’t get in trouble for asking questions or sharing what they’ve found.
The Future of AI and Online Search
As AI becomes more involved in online searches, we can expect these challenges to grow. AI might give answers that don’t show traditional search results, which makes it harder to spot fake information or scams. That’s why it’s so important to help our kids develop good online habits now.
Final Thoughts: Trust, But Verify
AI is exciting, but we still need to be cautious. Whether we’re using AI tools or regular search engines, the same rule applies: don’t trust everything right away. Teach your kids to double-check what they find and to be on the lookout for scams. By building these habits early, you’re helping them stay safe and smart online.
Remember, just because something looks helpful, doesn’t always mean it is!