How AI Shapes Our View of the World
Imagine your child watching videos every day that say: “This is true – this is real.”
But what if those videos are fake? Or what if they only show what matches what your child already believes?
Artificial intelligence now plays a crucial role in determining what children see online – and what they don’t. On platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or even news apps, AI algorithms decide which content gets recommended.They analyze what children like, how long they watch, and what they click – and then show more of the same.
This creates what’s called a filter bubble – a world where you only see what you already know or enjoy.
What seems harmless can become risky — especially when it comes to misinformation, extreme opinions, or deepfakes. That’s why it’s vital for children to learn to tell appearance from reality. Their view of the world can be narrowed — accidentally or even intentionally.
Filter Bubbles, Algorithms, and Recommendation Logic
Many platforms work the same way: they show users what they think will “interest them.”
While this can be useful — for example, in music or recipes — it can also narrow one’s perspective when it comes to opinions, facts, or worldviews.
Example:
If a child often clicks on conspiracy videos (out of curiosity or fun), they’ll soon see more and more of those — and fewer other perspectives. A tunnel forms. Children gradually lose touch with reality.
Questions for parents:
- Does my child know that not everything is true just because it looks real?
- Do they know that the videos on their homepage are not random?
- Can they tell the difference between an opinion and a fact?
Recognizing Deepfakes, Misinformation, and Fake News
Today, AI can “fake” videos, photos, and even voices so convincingly that even adults struggle to tell the difference. These are called deepfakes — AI-generated content in which, for example, a famous person appears to say something they never actually said.
Misinformation is deliberate deception — images, news, or videos that have been manipulated to provoke fear, confusion, or influence opinions.
Children often encounter such content first on entertainment platforms — as memes, short clips, or comments — and believe it unless someone talks to them about it.
What they need isn’t distrust toward everything, but rather healthy skepticism.
Building Critical Thinking – Through Talk and Practice
Digital literacy today means: understanding how content is created — and being able to question it.
Helpful questions for parents to ask regularly:
- Who made this — and why?
- Is it a real channel or a fake one?
- Is there another source saying the same thing?
- Can I verify it?
Such questions don’t make children suspicious — they make them confident and capable media users. If you want to talk with your children about their online experiences, you can use the digital conversation game “P@th”by DigiEthik.
It’s easy to play and, in just three rounds, opens up meaningful discussions about online life. Play here: digiethik.eu/en/path-play-and-think-en/
“How to Spot Misinformation” – Simple Clues for Kids (and Adults)
- Is there a clear source or author mentioned?
- Does it sound too extreme or sensational to be true?
- Is it shared often but never properly explained or verified?
Concrete clues like these make the abstract idea of “misinformation” easier to grasp — giving children tools to navigate the digital world more safely.
Case Study
Emil Believes a Fake Video
Emil is 13 years old. He sees a video on TikTok where a politician says:
“We’re canceling Christmas.” The video looks real — complete with a news anchor and network logo. He’s outraged. So are his friends. They share it, comment on it — and believe it. His mother happens to see the video when Emil proudly shows it to her. Something doesn’t feel right. They research together — and discover it’s a deepfake. The politician never said it. The video was AI-generated to stir anger.
At first, Emil feels embarrassed — then curious. He wants to learn how such videos are made — and, more importantly, how to spot them. Watch together: A step-by-step explanation of how AI “learns” and how deepfakes are created: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJMx9n5mFSM
Activity
Real or Fake? The Video Check
Goal: Help children learn to critically analyze digital content.
Step 1: Compare two videos
Find together:
- one real video (e.g., a news broadcast or children’s show)
- one staged or edited video (e.g., an ad, sketch, or AI-generated example)
Step 2: Analyze together
Ask your child:
- Who is speaking? Is it a real person?
- Is there an impressum or clear source?
- What stands out? Does anything seem too “perfect” or “polished”?
Note for parents and educators:
The following infographic (or checklist) provides simple, practical tips on how both children and adults can recognize misleading information online.
It’s designed especially for classroom or family discussions. These criteria can be reviewed and applied together as part of the “Real or Fake?” exercise.
Step 3: Take a Media Literacy Quiz Together
On platforms like https://www.klicksafe.eu/en or internet-abc.de, there are interactive quizzes that help children learn how to tell the difference between real and fake information. If you like, you can also play the game “Know Fake”, which introduces you — in a fun and playful way — to key terms and examples of misinformation.
You can play it together with your children and discuss the results afterward.
Play the game here: https://knowfake.eu/en/play-know-fake-online/
Message for Parents
Talk About Media the Way You Talk About Food
Just as children learn that sweets are tasty but not nourishing,
they can also learn that not everything entertaining is necessarily true. You might say, for example: “What we see online is often like candy — shiny on the outside, but what’s really inside?” “You can see everything — but you don’t have to believe everything.” By talking this way, you give your child a critical mindset — without imposing bans or creating fear.
Info Box
Did You Know?
- Over 80% of videos on TikTok are recommended by AI algorithms, not found through search.
- Children as young as 10 years old typically use 3 to 5 platforms where misinformation can appear.
- Studies show that children who regularly talk with their parents about media are much more resilient against fake news.