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What Data Does AI Collect – and Why?

Artificial intelligence only works when it is “fed” with large amounts of data.
It learns from examples — and the more it knows about people, behavior, or language, the better it becomes at recognizing patterns, making predictions, or suggesting content. But there’s a problem: AI never forgets. The data collected often remains stored for years.

Children and teenagers are particularly attractive targets for many AI-powered applications:
they use devices frequently, click quickly, experiment with everything — and leave behind a vast trail of digital footprints. They often don’t realize how much personal information they reveal — or how these pieces combine to form personal profiles that can reveal personality traits, interests, and even vulnerabilities.

Typical Data Collected by AI Applications:

• Voice: Through voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. Everything spoken — and often background sounds — can be recorded and stored.
• Location data: From GPS or location services. This can reveal where a child is — and how often they go there.
• Searches and clicks: What they search for, open, or tap provides insights into their interests, age, or mood.
• Behavior in games and apps: How long they play, what level they reach, which emojis they use — all these are valuable behavioral data points.
• Images, videos, and voice recordings: AI can recognize faces, analyze voices, or even detect emotions through expressions and tone.

These data are not stored only on the device — they are transmitted to servers, often outside Europe (for example, in the U.S.). There, they end up in the hands of large technology companies that create detailed user profiles. These “digital twins” don’t just show what a child watches or plays — they can also reveal what scares them, how they feel, or where they are most vulnerable.

Artificial intelligence uses these profiles to:

• Personalize content: Tailored videos, ads, or recommendations.
• Predict purchasing behavior: e.g. through targeted product recommendations or in-app purchases.
• Influence behaviour: e.g. throug nudging (small psychological prompts) that keep children in an app for longer. 

Why This Is a Problem

Children are particularly vulnerable — not just because of their age, but because they’re in a stage of identity formation.
If AI begins steering them too early toward specific paths, it can affect their self-image, their freedom to choose, and their relationship with media. Moreover, children cannot yet grasp the long-term consequences of their digital traces.
They often share personal information spontaneously — without realizing that this data remains and could be used against them years later.

That’s why data protection for children is not a technical issue — it’s a fundamental right.
It safeguards their privacy, freedom, and dignity. The European Union’s GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) recognizes this right and provides special legal protection for children. However, in practice, many digital services fail to fully comply — and for parents, the flow of data often remains opaque and difficult to control.

Who Owns What, after all? - Copyright and Artificial Intelligence

When children write, draw, compose music, or create videos with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), the results can be impressive. But one important question arises: Who actually owns what was created? According to traditional copyright law, rights belong to the person who creates a work independently — for example, someone who writes a text or paints a picture. These rights protect the creator from copying, misuse, or unauthorized distribution of their work. With AI, however, things become more complicated:
If an app is the one that “draws” or “writes” based on the user’s instructions, who is the real creator? Is it the child who gave the idea? The application itself? Or the company that developed the AI?

Important to Know

• Works created by AI are not automatically protected under copyright law.
• Some AI tools retain certain rights to the works generated by users — something that
     children (and parents) often don’t realize.
• If an AI application uses images, music, or text from third parties without permission, this
     may lead to legal problems, even for the user.

What Parents Should Keep in Mind

• Children should learn to deal with third-party content responsibly – in other words, not simply copy or publish everything.
• When using AI tools, choose providers that are transparent about copyright ownership and how they use data.
• If children want to publish their creations (e.g. on social media), encourage them to ask themselves: “Did I make this myself — or did the AI help?”
• Copyright may sound like a “boring topic,” but it protects creativity and helps children develop respect and awareness for what truly counts as their own creation — and what does not.
  

COPYRIGHT IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – WHO CAN DO WHAT?
EXAMPLE	Who has the rights?	What should be considered?
The child draws a picture with markers or on tablet	The child	Full copyright protection – the work belongs entirely to the child.
The child creates an image with AI (e.g from a text command such as ‘draw a dragon’)	Unclear – often no copyright protection	Depending on the tool’s terms of use, the AI company may retain rights. Be cautious before publishing or sharing.
Τhe child makes a remix of a song using AI	Often legally problematic	The original music is protected by copyright. A remix may infringe on others’ rights.
AI writes an essay or poem for a school project	Usually not protected by copyright – not a human creation	Can be used as a learning aid, but children should write their own work and always disclose if AI was used.
Children design their own games with AI support	Partly the child, partly the AI	Legally complex. The greater the child’s personal contribution, the stronger the protection of their rights

Tip: Talk to your child about how to handle personal data – e.g. why you should not share your name, photos or whereabouts everywhere.

Voices, Images, Locations – The Invisible Risks

Many children use apps that have access to their camera, microphone, or location—without realizing that they are revealing personal data in the process.

Examples of “invisible” data traps:

• A gaming app asks for microphone access “to record sound effects,” but in reality, it may
     also be listening to conversations.
• A simple flashlight app requests location access, even though there is no technical reason
    for it.
• An AI chatbot asks for the child’s name, age, and interests “to make the conversation more
     personal.”
  

All of this may seem harmless, but AI systems combine this information – and use it to create a digital mirror image of the child.

How parents can protect their Children – without causing fear

Children don’t need fear — they need knowledge and clear guidance. Instead of imposing bans, it’s more effective to create shared rules and explain why something might be risky.

Specific Tips:

• Check together which permissions apps have on your child’s phone or tablet.
• Explain why some information is private — such as their name, address, school, voice, or face.
• Don’t just say “no.” , but rather: “I want to protect you, not control you.”
  

Helpful Family Rules:

• No sharing location in games.
• No profile pictures showing faces on unfamiliar platforms.
• No real birthdate or full name when signing up for services.
• Use separate email addresses for different purposes.
  

When children understand what they’re protecting and why, they’re far more willing to cooperate.

Example

Sofia and the Curious Chatbot

Sofia is 10 years old and loves playing with an app where she can chat with a friendly, cartoon-style bot.
The bot asks her:
“What's your name?”
“What do you like to do?”
“What school do you go to?”

Sofia answers honestly. The bot praises her, asks more questions, and says kind things.
Over time, Sofia begins to confide personal things — that she feels lonely or had a fight with her best friend. Her parents know nothing until they notice in the App Store:
“Not suitable for children under 13.”

They read the terms and discover that the app stores all conversations. Shortly after, they start receiving ads related to Sofia’s interests. Sofia is shocked: “I thought he was my friend.”

Exercise

Data Protection Detective – What Can I Share?

Help children learn the difference between what’s public and what’s private.

Step 1:
Write words on small cards, such as:

• First name
• Last name
• Date of birth
• School
• Favorite color
• Password
• Photo showing face
• Home address
• Pet’s name

Step 2: 
Sorting: Lay out two areas on the table: ‘May I share’ and ‘I'd rather keep it for myself’.
Let your child decide which cards belong where – and explain why.

Step 3:
Discuss together:

• Why are some pieces of information harmless while others are not?
• Why do some apps ask for things they don’t really need?
• What could happen if we share too much?
  

Tip:
Make your own privacy traffic light as a reminder:
Red = Never share
Yellow = Only after consultation 
Green = Safe

Parental impulse

Privacy Starts with Small Things
Many children think, “I have nothing to hide!”
But every child has a right to privacy — just like they have a right to their own room or personal diary.

You can say:
“Your data is like your thoughts — they belong to you.”
“Some things we don’t tell everyone — not even our phones.”

This helps your child understand personal boundaries, the importance of privacy, and how to feel safe — without fear.

Info Box

Did You Know?

• Voice assistants like Alexa or Siri store all voice commands — even those from children.
• The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) gives children special protection, but many apps still don’t fully comply.
• AI-driven advertising systems can infer age, interests, and mood — just from clicks or emojis.