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Keeping up with the latest trends in technology may not always be at the top of your to-do list, especially when it seems like there’s something new every second day, but when it comes to the content and platforms our children are interacting with it’s important to have at least a basic understanding. Knowing about the platforms, their benefits, uses, challenges and risks can help us to make measured and informed decisions about what we empower our children to interact with, and how we can do that.
Since ChatGPT launched in November 2022, this Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot has been getting attention in a range of sectors and spaces, including schools, with the technology having the potential to impact the way that students access and navigate information online. ChatGPT is a language model that responds to text-based queries and generates natural language responses. It is trained on billions of data points to simulate natural conversation and respond to questions. In short, it can feel like you’re talking to a real person, be that a friend, a trusted advisor, or an industry expert, depending on the nature of your conversation.
The technology has the potential to revolutionise the way we interact with computers and digital system, which could have far reaching impacts on society. The main applications it is currently used for include automated customer services, FAQs, free-flowing conversation, language translation and content creation, but as we adapt to the technology, the uses are certain to expand.
ChatGPT does have safety measures in place to protect all users, including content filters, the technology does not collect personal data and there are measures to protect against harmful conversations, however there are some risks to be aware of, including:
Education around the safe and responsible use of technology is often the best way to support children and young people to thrive in an ever-changing world.
The eSmart suite of programs can support children to build the media and digital literacy skills needed to navigate the ever-changing digital environment. Ask your child’s school if they have considered delivering these programs.