How Many Artificial and Intelligent Versions of Your Kid Do You Have Out There?

 

How Many Artificial and Intelligent Versions of Your Kid Do You Have Out There?



Are we REALLY consenting to everything that we think we do, while using internet and specifically social media? Have we actually read all terms and conditions when we're using Facebook, Instagram, Google, and posting our pictures online? This is actually not new news, it's been a comes and goes wave of discussion, depending how the tides turn to the big tech companies. Ok, so what's the big deal? Everybody is, or at least should be, aware of data, privacy and sharing on the internet. The thing is, what about those whose digital privacy we're invading that are not even aware, nor choosing to do so?


Kids, right? That's what's all about? YES, a thousand times yes. I remember when I was a kid, my parents and my friends' parents were quite protective towards the use of internet. Ironically we took long hours drive bumping in the car seat without any seatbelts, and that's completely fine, your officer! Coming back to the internet, it does make sense they were suspicious, after all, that wasn't not even close to a thing when they were kids. I remember that we basically were encouraged to not share anything online. Names, phone numbers, addresses, imagine photos! The reason? Some criminal could somehow get that information and do bad things to us.

On the matter of sharing, we went to scared anonymous to proud showoffs. We tell everything about ourselves. Our real names, contact information, we even share where we are at that moment, and we don't think about the bad guys doing bad stuff to us. The thing is, the danger now is not only physical, it's virtual as well. In the U.S. in 2023 consumers reported losing more than $10 BILLION Dollars in frauds. It's not only the money also, there's identify theft, bullying, shaming, and WAY worse. Yes, pedophilia.


It took me a while to sit down and write about this. The reason why, is because it touches several aspects that are either very dear to me, or that have my interested personally and professionally. The reason why I am writing about this now, is that ignorance is bliss, and to this, I am no ignorant, I'm very much aware. In fact, I study, teach and, work with this. Much of us know the risks and protect our children from the evils that lurk in corners of the internet. There's a catch though, and it has multiple names, all built in the famously so called Artificial Intelligence.


The wonders of AI and all the incredible powers that come with it. But remember, with great power, comes great responsibility. The thing is, not everybody has a cool uncle Ben. The bad guys also evolved, and they use technology to do bad things, right under our noses. All information we put online, cannot be withdrawn. You can delete, but it will be forever stamped in the infinity tapestry of internet data. The same with images and photos. Not only ours also, our children as well. Now imagine, if you asked someone not to post a picture of you because of any reason, have you asked your kid if they allowed you to post? Are they aware of invisible terms and conditions boxes they are clicking and consenting to, without even knowing how to read?


I know, I know, that's just being dramatic, or fear mongering. Is it really? Have you tried the latest and most up to date AI tools out there? Have you seen what fake and imaginative images they can produce? Now imagine this falling into the wrong hands? "But Rafa, I'm not sharing body parts, nor nudity, not even skin!" - They don't need that. They just need a face. If we check our phones, or social media, we will be surprised by the automation that face recognition identified us or other people with so many random pictures. My phone knows my daughter's face way more than I would like it to. I consider myself overprotective sometimes, and I would say a couple of years ago that only pedophiles could see malice in a kids photo. Now, way more evil people can. Before they would imagine the body, now they can simply create it, with your child's face.



When I first wanted to write about this, was right after seeing a campaign, from Deustche Telekom - A German Telecommunications Provider (I know, ironic, isn't it?). The video from the campaign though is quite interesting, and showcases to less included in the digital, technological environment what we just talked about. The impacts of sharing our kids' pictures only. While it shows a rather terrifying scenario and quite extreme, it is completely realistic and far from being fiction. I would like you all to reflect on this and to see this video. Let me know your thoughts after seeing it, or, if you have already, how impactful was it to you?


Here are the links for the videos:



Thank you Casi Creativos - @casicreativos


Thank you Andre Quintao - @akintao



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