Artificial intelligence: a new technology families can learn about together
What is artificial intelligence? AI in young people’s everyday lives How to recognize AI-generated content Four key factors to consider when supporting your child Starting the conversation with your child or teen What is artificial intelligence? Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems that can perform tasks typically associated with human intelligence, such as: Understanding text Recognizing images Generating responses Generative AI, the type most often discussed today, creates new content, including text, images, videos, and audio, based on the data it was trained on. This is the technology behind tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot. These tools do not “think” or “understand” the way humans do. They follow instructions and generate outputs based on patterns they have learned. As a result, they may present information confidently, even when that information is inaccurate. Understanding this distinction is key to using AI wisely. Information generated by AI should always be reviewed critically. No AI-generated response can be assumed to be correct simply because it sounds convincing. AI in young people’s everyday lives By October 2025, more than half of Québec Internet users had already used a generative AI tool, an increase of 19% over the previous year. More than half of those users reported using these tools on a weekly basis. Among young people, adoption is happening even faster. Curious by nature and eager to try new technologies, they are often quick to experiment with emerging AI tools. They are also exposed to AI every day, particularly through social media. While homework assistance remains one of the most common uses, AI’s role extends well beyond the classroom. Young people use it to search for information, discover activities and entertainment, get personalized recommendations, engage in conversations, and, increasingly, seek emotional support. When used with good judgment, AI can help young people in a variety of learning situations, including: Working through a concept they do not understand Comparing ideas, information, or perspectives Translating text into another language Organizing a study plan Strengthening critical thinking Practicing speaking and conversation skills Expanding vocabulary AI is available around the clock, responds without judgment, and tailors its explanations to a child’s or teenager’s level of understanding. To support your child in using these tools effectively, consider learning how to properly configure the settings of the generative AI tools they use. How to recognize AI-generated content Several clues can help identify content that may have been generated by AI, but no single indicator is reliable on its own. These clues generally fall into three categories: images, videos, and text. The best approach is to consider them alongside the source and the broader context. Images Some details can reveal that an image was generated by AI when examined closely: Hands with too many or too few fingers Missing body parts Skin that appears unnaturally smooth or flawless Eyes with misplaced pupils or a blank, lifeless gaze Shadows that do not match the direction of the light source Blurry or distorted backgrounds Illegible text embedded into the image The difference between an AI-generated image and a deepfake A deepfake differs from an image generated entirely from scratch. This technique involves superimposing the face or voice of a real person onto a manipulated scene. Deepfakes pose a risk of identity theft and impersonation. By contrast, an AI-generated image invents a scene that never actually took place. This can lead people to mistake a fabricated image for reality. Videos with or without deepfakes When watching a video, there are four signs worth paying attention to: Body movements that appear unnatural, repetitive, or lacking in fluidity A fixed gaze, with blinking that is either unusually infrequent or excessively frequent Lighting that changes inconsistently from one frame to the next A voice with a monotone delivery or intonation that does not match the speaker’s lip movements Text AI-generated text can often be recognized by its tone. It tends to be factual and uniform, with little personality, perspective, or humour. You may also notice an absence of opinions or a lack of explanation when certain ideas or theories are discussed, as though part of the content is missing. It may contain repetitive wording, present outdated information as though it were current, or answer a question without ever challenging its premise. AI tools are designed to be accommodating. In other words, they generate responses in ways that are intended to be helpful and agreeable to the reader. None of these signs is foolproof when considered on its own. It is the combination of several indicators that should raise concerns. Automated detection tools are not fully reliable either. They can produce false positives and may fail to identify the most sophisticated AI-generated content. The best approach is still to evaluate these clues alongside the original source and the context in which the content appears. Four factors to consider when supporting your child There are four key considerations that can help parents guide their child’s use of AI without needing to master all the technical details. AI isn’t always right AI can invent information, provide incomplete answers, or reproduce errors found online. It is designed to please the user, not to challenge them. As a result, it can sometimes reinforce a young person’s existing views and create an information bubble without their realizing it. A habit to encourage: Verify important information using a second reliable source before trusting it. Protecting personal information Anything entered into an AI tool may be stored and analyzed. Photos, personal information, and sensitive conversations can be difficult to remove once they have been shared. Three habits that help reduce the risk Never share photos or personal information with an AI tool. Regularly delete conversation histories. Review the privacy settings of apps to strengthen the protection of personal information whenever possible. Maintaining a critical mindset Before sharing content, exercising critical thinking and asking questions about its origin and whether it may have been generated by AI is an essential first step. The bear walking into a house or the advertisement promising results that seem too good to be true likely deserves closer scrutiny. The algorithms that power news feeds tend to promote content that triggers strong reactions, which can naturally give misinformation an advantage. AI does not replace a trusted adult A growing number of young people are turning to chatbots rather than real people for support, drawn by their constant availability and their non-judgmental responses. However, an AI tool cannot replace the guidance provided by a trusted adult, a friend, or a healthcare professional. As mentioned earlier in this article, AI does not know us personally. It is designed to tell us what we want to hear. In fact, if challenged, it may readily concede a point or adapt its response. Because of this, AI can create unrealistic expectations or standards when it comes to social relationships. It is therefore important to encourage young people to bring questions about their physical or mental health to a trusted adult. Starting the conversation with your child or teen The goal is not to monitor your child’s use of AI, but to help them develop a critical perspective on how they use it. Five simple questions can help start the conversation without creating confrontation: Why did you use this tool? Was it a reflex or a genuine need? Did you verify where the information came from? Do you think this information is reliable? How could you confirm this? What would you do if you saw a video that seemed fake? What information should never be shared with an AI tool? Videotron collaborates with the Centre pour l’intelligence émotionnelle en ligne (CIEL) to raise awareness and educate families about the digital effects on the health of youth. A variety of tools and resources, including a podcast, are available to help parents support their children and teens. Artificial intelligence is here to stay in your child’s life, both at school and in their leisure activities. A parent’s role is not to know everything, but to start the conversation and reinforce three key habits: verify information before believing it, protect personal information, and talk to a trusted adult when something online is upsetting or concerning. With these guideposts, your child will already be well equipped to navigate an AI-powered world. Going further Visit the Videotron Family Space for additional tips, tools, and resources to help parents better guide their children’s digital habits and promote online safety for the whole family. Read also Choosing a Mobile plan for your teen based on their profile Which mobile phone for teens based on their profile?
