Modern Artificial Intelligence Technology and Social Challenges
By Kavishka Jayawardena

What is the difference between the social adaptation that existed in the past and the adaptation we see today? What challenges do parents face related to modern technology when guiding children into social environments?
An in-depth analytical explanation that goes beyond a basic interpretation of socialization processes—an idea central to individuals from childhood through adulthood—becomes highly relevant and timely. This is indeed a pressing need.
Children’s socialization refers to their adaptation to their environment’s social factors and adherence to social norms and rules. Building social relationships within the family, school, and community is essential for children. However, with significant technological involvement today, their social experiences are evolving, leading to a range of complex societal challenges.
AI systems play a major role in children’s learning, relationship-building, and recreation. For example, AI-enabled assistants like Siri and Alexa provide access to knowledge on various topics, and AI-driven technologies facilitate the development of social media and online networking patterns.
Parents are uncertain about the direction of children’s social adaptation in this new age. With terms like innovation, new technology, and normalization becoming familiar concepts, children’s minds are likewise molded toward novelty. The conditions of today’s children are distinct from those of children in the 1980s and 1990s, marking a shift that could be seen as both an advantage and a dilemma. Globalization, the internet, digital technology, and artificial intelligence have evolved as essential tools for modern human activities.
However, artificial intelligence can also pose a challenge to children’s social integration. Excessive engagement with commercial platforms at a young age, isolation from social factors, and exposure to AI-generated non-genuine messages and environments could hinder social development. Moreover, social media and AI applications may lead to communication issues and impose adverse influences on social habits and ideals.
In today’s world, children’s social adaptation has become highly complex and dynamic. With busier lifestyles and technological advancement, engagement with technological tools has increased. Artificial Intelligence (AI) notably influences this trend, transforming learning methods, social connections, and commercial interactions, which are increasingly considered challenging.
Family and parental responsibilities should prioritize children’s active participation in social interactions and environmental contexts. Modern children’s social adaptation, influenced by AI, yields both positive and negative impacts. AI impacts children’s learning, relationships, and social behaviors by introducing new concepts and teachings, which also generate challenges. Encouraging sustainable use of AI connections can channel these impacts productively.
In urban areas, parents generally believe that children socialize primarily during school hours but disengage from social activities once they return home, focusing instead on using mobile devices for homework and other activities without seeking assistance from parents or older siblings.
Middle-class urban families show slight variations, with a greater tendency toward children’s isolation. However, parents attribute this to economic factors and highlight the positive aspects of children’s technology use.
In rural areas, children are more actively engaged in social relationships, interacting frequently with parents, elders, and the community. Limited technological access, slower development compared to urban areas, and constrained facilities mean rural children have fewer opportunities to engage with AI technology, according to their parents.
Parents in rural areas, with minimal awareness of AI technology, sophisticated devices, and tools, often show a reserved attitude. Overall, they believe that integrating technology with their children’s growth would benefit their future.
However, AI introduces new methods for learning and interaction. Some children, especially those exposed to unregulated online platforms, face risks like harmful content and cyberbullying. Studies indicate that AI use without monitoring can lead to issues like ethical degradation in behaviors (Source: UNESCO Digital Governance Report, 2023). Therefore, while AI has the potential to positively support children’s social adjustment, it requires careful management and awareness to overcome emerging challenges.
Modern AI technology plays a dual role in children’s socialization—as a tool for development and as a source of potential social complexities. Parents and educators must maximize AI’s benefits, minimize its risks, and implement more practical strategies for balanced usage.
References
- UNESCO Digital Governance Report, 2023
- Gunasekara, R., (2023), “Social Impacts of Artificial Intelligence,” Journal of Social Science Research
- Sramakanti, S., (2022), “Children’s Social Development under Modern Technology,” Technological Development Feature