Adolescence is a phase marked by discoveries, identity formation, and emotional vulnerabilities, especially under the constant gaze of social media. The Netflix series Adolescence portrays this reality sensitively by showing the challenges young people face in the face of overexposure and digital pressure.
With social media so prominent, one platform deserves particular attention: WhatsApp, established as the main communication tool in Brazil, with approximately 169 million active users. Last year, when Meta’s AI arrived on the messenger, a new warning emerged: how to ensure safe and conscious use of technology in such a sensitive environment, especially for children and adolescents?
“Meta’s AI can answer questions, provide recommendations, search for news on topics of interest on the web without leaving the app, and generate images and small gifs for sharing,” explains Pierre dos Santos, AI Analyst at East.
From the perspective of digital infrastructure, Lucas Rodrigues, communication manager at Leste, warns that the excessive exposure of adolescents on social media is worsened by open profiles and lack of privacy settings. “Open profiles, without filters or privacy settings, leave these young people more exposed to unwanted approaches, scams, inappropriate content, and even emotional manipulation practices,” he says.
He emphasizes that care starts even before opening the app: “Children and adolescents still don’t have the necessary repertoire to handle everything the internet offers. That’s why ensuring a safe foundation, with well-configured networks, updated devices, and activated privacy, is not an exaggeration—it’s care.”
Heroine or villain? It depends on usage
Even though AI does not have access to private conversations on WhatsApp and user data remains protected by the messenger’s encryption, according to the AI documentation, messages shared with the tool can be used to provide relevant responses for you or to improve this technology. “Therefore, do not send messages containing information you don’t want to share with AI. At the very least, we can delete messages sent to AI by typing /reset-all-ais in the conversation,” warns the analyst.
Pierre also says that AI is a powerful tool that can be useful in various contexts. However, it’s essential to use it responsibly and carefully, always considering the security and privacy of personal data. For this, he shares some basic yet valuable tips, especially for teaching children who are starting to interact with technology:
- Use AI as an auxiliary tool, not as a substitute for critical thinking;
- Use AI for tasks you consider safe and without risk to your privacy, avoiding sharing personal or confidential information with AI in the conversation;
- Avoid using AI to make important decisions;
- Only research topics of general interest, avoiding sensitive or controversial subjects.
