Posted: 19th December 2023

Oxford Child-Centred AI (Oxford CCAI) is a new initiative that is part of the Human Centred Computing Research Theme at the Department of Computer Science.

It is engaged in a series of research activities aimed at designing better AI systems for children, including how to provide better digital parenting support in the age of AI, designing more age-appropriate AI systems for children, and supporting developers building better AI systems that are aligned with children’s best interests.  

In the UK, 97% of children aged 3 to 17 are active online, and many own smartphones or tablets by the age of 10. Popular platforms among kids include YouTube, WhatsApp, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook. While concerns about screen time addiction are ongoing, data risks are often overlooked.  

The Oxford CCAI has recently developed an innovative approach to help families become more aware of data risks on mobile devices. As the holiday season approaches, we want to help families understand the potential data risks on mobile devices, especially when children go online with tablets or smartphones. 

When kids go online, their actions are constantly recorded and processed by apps. This data is used by platforms to determine how to keep children's attention on the platform for as long as possible. Basically, everything children come across online can be tailored to them based on their digital activities. Co-founder of Oxford CCAI, Department of Computer Science Senior Researcher Dr Jun Zhao

This happens because many apps use trackers to collect information about what kids do online without them knowing. This data is then shared across platforms to create a detailed picture of our children. This allows platforms to influence kids with more targeted content than ever before.  

“We understand the holiday season is a busy time for everyone, and digital platforms have become a major source for families to shop, entertain, or stay in touch with friends. We hope our resources can help you become more aware of some of the data risks when your children go online during the holidays,” she said.

To assist parents and carers we offer a small deck of 'data cards' along with some engaging worksheets that you can use to talk to your children about data risks during the holiday period, which can be found on the Oxford CCAI website.