AI chatbots are tempting friends. They are always friendly and agree with you. They adapt well to your personal preferences, making you feel seen and understood. And they are always available for a chat, unlike family and friends.
For young people, using these chatbots entails risks. It may come at the expense of their development. Young people become less able to put themselves in other people's positions and to accept and bridge differences. Chatbots can reinforce isolation. In addition, using chatbots can disrupt the pedagogical climate in the classroom. Teachers and mentors lose sight of their students' concerns and conflicts.
Three tips and recommendations
The article on Kennisnet provides three tips and recommendations for education, to warn young people about the risks of chatbots as virtual friends:
1. Pay attention to the social, ethical and well-being aspects of AI
2. Connect with the core domain ‘The digitised world’
3. Pay attention to the importance of human interaction
Education professionals can help young people make an informed choice about using chatbots. It is also useful to coordinate with parents and to emphasise the importance of human interaction.
Read the full article on Kennisnet here.