Parents in Bahrain must allocate specific ‘quality family time’ into their busy schedules or risk their children coming under the spell of artificial intelligence (AI), experts urge.
They should also agree on ‘screen-free times’ to better offer emotional support and encourage social growth.
Speaking at the Abdelrahman Kanoo Cultural Centre, author and expert on familiar behaviour Ali Al Asyad highlighted the dangers of overreliance on AI, whether playing video games, completing schoolwork or carrying out everyday tasks.
“These days, family members living in the same home barely see each other due to technology and being too glued to their screens,” said Mr Al Asyad during the session titled ‘The Effect of AI on Family Relationships.’
“In general, there is less socialising, especially among youngsters, compared to before AI.
“With our smartphones, we can contact people whenever we want using WhatsApp and other messengers, meaning there is less of a need for ‘third spaces’ to meet with people.”
Mr Al Asyad warned that the main issue with AI, especially with smartphones, is the risk of hackers using the tool for illicit purposes and unethical tech companies trying to sell products to children.
He stated that no matter how secure people think their smartphones are, they are never completely free of risks.
“There is nothing that utilises the Internet that is 100 per cent safe,” said Mr Al Asyad. “Your smartphone can always ‘hear you’, which is why when you talk to someone about something, you end up getting advertisements for the item on social media platforms, which is perpetuated by AI.
“Children are unfortunately vulnerable to such things and may grab their parent’s credit cards without permission, usually after seeing an advertisement for a game they really want or even items within a game.”
Most of the problems with AI, however, comes from an overreliance on the technical advances. Not only are parents using screens as babysitters, children themselves are reportedly moving less and thinking less.
“Parents are now using it to teach their children, but instead of a tool to enhance their learning, it has become a ‘copy and paste’ software.
“All students need to do is enter their homework into an AI like ChatGPT and it will give them an answer in just a few seconds. This however, compromises a student’s education. They are not actually learning anything.
“They might get good grades if they can get away with it but it’s a moot point if they do not understand what is going on.”
With ‘being social’ on the decline and loneliness on the rise, many children are also using AI as a companion and therapist, when it is not qualified to be either of those things.
“AI has no feelings, it is not a person and cannot replace one,” said Mr Al Asyad. “And yet it knows how to play with people’s emotions, which can affect children’s relationship not just with their parents, but society as a whole.
“The worst part – it is available 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, which is dangerous for any attempt to boost socialisation.”
Mr Al Asyad believes that the solution is not to deny children smartphones or access to AI, as they might end up exploring the Internet behind their parents’ back, affecting their trust in their family.
Instead, he recommends parents sit down, talk to their children about the potential dangers, and most importantly, schedule some time away from the screens.
“Have boundaries such as no device at the dinner table, and no devices while out walking,” he said. “Create an emotional connection with them, and put aside some family time without devices and either just sit and talk, or play board games.
“Another thing to do is schedule a day out to a park, or a mall and just enjoy your time as a family.”
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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