Hello, I’m back!
As you know I took a little break away from everything for a couple of weeks which has been lovely, but I’m pleased to be back and boy has there been a lot going on in the world of AI. We’ve had the World Humanoid Robot Games filling social media with hilarious videos of some quite incapable robots. ChatGPT for Teens has launched, and Meta has settled on a lawsuit claiming they purposely designed their product in a way to get kids addicted.
It’s far too much to get into in just one edition of the newsletter, so when the podcast returns for season 2 (less than two weeks – YAY!) we’re going to focus on this. We’re going to make sure we’re really keeping you aware of the AI news that impacts you as a parent, answer your questions and give space for the discussions that really need to be happening.
7th September – put it in your diaries
With only 10 days until season 2 of the podcast appears on Apple, Spotify and YouTube once again, I’d love it if you head over and hit subscribe on your favourite platform as it really helps us to grow the listenership.
In the first episode Holly and I will talk about everything AI that has happened since we last spoke. So if you’re feeling a bit like you don’t know what’s been going on whilst you’ve been visiting petting zoos and the 562 trips to the park with the kids over the summer, then we’ve got you!
See you on the 7th September!
The last screen-free AI activity
I can’t quite believe it’s time for the kids to head back to school already! And with that we’ve got the last of our summer holiday series of screen-free activities. It’s a chance to get them outside again by using AI to create them an explorer’s logbook. You can adapt it to what your child likes to do, whether that’s writing, drawing, texture rubbing, collage, or something else – maybe even a mixture of them all.
They’re given a mission where they need to explore their environment to complete it. They may be hunting for items from every colour of the rainbow, or all the shapes needed to create a dinosaur. The possibilities are endless.
There’s a step-by-step guide over on our blog – with a handy pdf download.
Changes coming to your child’s school
Despite all the big AI news over the last week I think the thing that’s going to be most important for you to know is the changes to the Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 (KCSIE 2026).
Starting Tuesday, every school in England has to follow a new safeguarding rulebook and there’s two things I want to draw your attention to.
The first is phones, so not really AI, but useful to know. Schools now have to be mobile-phone-free by default. A lot of schools already have this but moving it to an opt-out rule means that any school that allows phones for any reason must explain why. It’s the first time this has been written into the guidance this explicitly.
The second is that AI-generated deepfakes and “nudify” apps are now formally a safeguarding issue. This section existed before but it was referred to as “sexting” and “indecent image”, the words have been replaced with “making or sharing nudes or semi-nudes” to include AI generated, or adjusted images. It’s very much needed change. The Internet Watch Foundation received 420 reports of AI-manipulated nude imagery of children in just the first six months of 2026, more than the 397 reports for the whole of 2025.
What this means is that if something involving these images happens within school hours, schools must act. Hopefully they were anyway, but this makes it an obligation.
Your question for episode 1 of the pod
We’re recording the first episode of season 2 this Sunday, so what has really had you puzzled about AI in the last few weeks? Are you confused about how Roblox can tell how old your child is? Do you just not understand how ChatGPT for teens is different? Are you worried about the robot videos we’ve seen from China? Anything, no question too silly, reply to this email or tell me here.
We’ll be having a parent questions section every week, so don’t worry if it’s not with us in time for Sunday.
So excited to be back, both writing to you and with the podcast, thanks again for joining us. It’s very much appreciated. Have a great week and hope the return to school goes well.
Don’t forget to come and join us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
Fiona