Introduction to ChatGPT and AI chatbots

What is an AI chatbot?

Chatbots are a type of artificial intelligence designed to interact with users in a conversational manner. Unlike Googling a question, an AI Chatbot gives more context to the answer. So, instead of providing a list of links or a short sentence or two for an explanation, chatbots can give an extensive answer that you can build on and refine through conversation.

With pre-programmed knowledge of billions of pieces of information, the chatbots can be asked to provide statistics, write code, and even come up with creative prose. You can also ask questions that are very specific, something that can be tricky to do on a search engine!

The most popular AI chatbot you might have heard about recently is ChatGPT. After being launched in late 2022, the AI invention quickly became an online sensation, with 13 million people using it every day in January 2023.

ChatGPT is far from the only AI chatbot on the scene. Other tech companies and platforms have their own version, such as Google’s AI ‘Bard’. Unlike ChatGPT's information supply which cuts off beyond 2021, Bard takes its responses directly from Google's search engine.

Users must be at least 13 years old but under 18-year-olds need their parents or guardians’ permission.

Why is ChatGPT so popular?

If you’ve ever had ‘writers block’ when an assignment’s due day is looming or wondered how to make an email sound more professional, it’s easy to see what makes a chatbot so tempting. From writing a personalised poem for your loved one on Valentine’s Day, to quickly gathering stats to support a social media tiff, chatbots might seem like a shortcut to success.

There’s also a fun element to it: asking AI to write you the history of tomatoes in the style of Shakespeare is undeniably amusing. However, as schools and universities continue to ban the use of chatbots, and alarming stories of inappropriate responses emerge, it’s important to consider the safety concerns around children and young people, alongside the functional and fun benefits for adults.

ChatGPT4

Open AI, the creators of ChatGPT, recently released the latest version, catchily called ‘GPT4’. Whereas the older chatbot had a 10% chance of passing the bar exam, the new version would now have a 90% chance of becoming a qualified lawyer. Fortunately, they aren’t giving AI legal jurisdiction quite yet!

Safety concerns about AI chatbots

Ambiguous age limits

ChatGPT’s terms of use specify that users must be at least 13 years old, and users between the ages of 13 and 18 need parental or guardian permission to use the platform. However, during a test conducted by INEQE Safeguarding Group’s research team, ChatGPT initially stated that there was no age limit for use. It later corrected itself to confirm that the minimum age requirement is indeed 13 years old.

The unclear age restrictions on ChatGPT, coupled with the platform’s inadequate age verification measures, present a significant safety risk, while the platform also lacks the ability to remove underage users.

Factual inaccuracies

When visiting the ChatGPT website, before even using the system, Open AI warns users that it may occasionally generate incorrect information.

If young people are relying on ChatGPT or other AI chatbots to source information, not only could that affect the quality of their schoolwork, but it could have a long-term impact on their own knowledge base and ability to think critically.

This could also impact their opinions and understanding of the world around them if they are using it as a primary source of information.

There is also a risk of factual inaccuracies written by AI chatbots being spread elsewhere online via usually dependable sources. For example, if journalists, copy writers, researchers, and even teachers take their information from ChatGPT, it is likely to be readily accepted by others.

Misinformation and propaganda

Although young people generally feel confident about being able to spot fake news online, research from Ofcom found that only 11% were able to correctly identify misinformation.

Further to providing factually inaccurate information, AI chatbots can be easily misused by those seeking to spread propaganda, disinformation, and similar harmful content.

What is disinformation?

Disinformation refers to factually inaccurate information that is spread deliberately and with the objective of deceiving the audience. It is also commonly called ‘misinformation’, although this term usually refers to any incorrect information, whether the goal was to deliberately deceive or not.

AI chatbots are constantly learning. This means that there’s little predictability about the answers it might give. However, the AI’s ability to write in a certain style means that users could potentially recreate the tone and style of people who are known to perpetuate hate, such as misogynists or racists to then spread across social platforms.

Exposure to harmful or inappropriate content

The owner of ChatGPT has said that the prevention of harmful outcomes is the responsibility of both the tech companies and the people using it. However, it is unclear how a young person would be expected to bear this responsibility if they access the chatbot.

Although ChatGPT does have content filters, there is evidence of these filters being bypassed and users being exposed to harmful content. Although these may be rare occurrences, it still raises significant risk about children and young people using this and other AI chatbots.

Limited age verification on the platform creates an open door for younger users who may not understand these limitations and risks.

An investigation by Vice found that ChatGPT could be prompted into giving instructions on committing crimes, including how to shoplift and make bombs.

Health advice

There have been cases of children using AI chatbots to seek out mental health advice. In response, ChatGPT have said that their AI shouldn’t be used for this purpose, and it could “clearly provide inappropriate or ineffective advice.”

Children and young people may feel hesitant to approach an adult or medical health professional, so asking AI might feel like the next-best thing. But whether it’s about mental health or another health concern, we know chatbots can give inaccurate information that could result in delayed or worsening medical issues. AI cannot replace the advice and support given by a trusted adult. Most importantly, it can’t deliver the urgent care that might be required from a medical professional.

Social media integration

As AI chatbots begin to become integrated into apps used by young people, such as Snapchat, there is also the concern of how predators might misuse the function to easily create dialogue in the style and tone of a young person in order to connect with them and build a rapport.

Phishing and scams

There are concerns that ChatGPT and other AI chatbots could be used to create content for scams, such as email copy. There have been reports of cyber criminals already using the AI for this purpose, with discussions supposedly ‘flooding forums’ on the dark web.

With its ability to generate genuine looking text at speed, it could be used for ongoing email conversations, as the scammer can quickly create a reply and lure their victim in.

Top tips

Talk about AI chatbots

Have a conversation with the child or young person in your care about ChatGPT and other AI chatbots. Keep the conversation light so it doesn’t come across like you’re making accusations of them cheating on their homework! Ask open-end questions, such as, “what do you think of AI chatbots?” or mention the topic in passing: “I read an article about chatbots today.” Avoiding questions with ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers help keep the conversation flowing. Always give the young person in your care plenty of space in the conversation to speak as this will give them the opportunity to talk about their own experiences and potential concerns.

Discuss some of the concerns

Without going into detail that would be inappropriate, talk about some of the areas of concerns about AI chatbots. You can use our shareable linked below to help, which talks about using AI for good. Make sure they know who their trusted adults are in case they ever need to talk about mental health or other medical issues.

Use content filters, safety settings and parental controls

By implementing functions like safe search filters and using your internet providers parental control features, you’re taking steps to make the online experience of your young person safer all round. Don’t just rely on the content filters on AI chatbots as they may be unreliable. We recommend explaining why you’re utilising safety features first, opening the door to open, honest, and ongoing online safety conversations!

Use AI for good together

Explore ideas for using AI chatbots positively as a fun family or class activity. The text produced by AI chatbots usually needs changing and a preprepared AI piece could provide an opportunity to practice editing skills. Alternatively, you could ask ChatGPT for facts then check them by comparing with other reliable sources or fact checking websites, such as Full Fact.