From gaming to AI: delaware helps kids build digital resilience early

The summer holidays are just around the corner and children tend to spend more and more time online: gaming, checking social media, or experimenting with AI. Young people sometimes use AI in a totally different way than adults. For example, recent research by Professor Steven Van Belleghem shows that as many as a quarter of children use ChatGPT, Gemini, or 'MyAI' as a personal therapist with whom they can share their feelings and ask for advice.

Interactive challenges

"AI is becoming more and more a part of our daily lives, but there are still dangers that you need to be aware of, which is why we try to teach our employees' children how to use AI and the internet in a playful but educational way. The workshop is designed as an interactive afternoon full of tasks, short sessions, and challenges. Among other things, the children discover what AI is, how websites and games work, how they can recognize online risks, and why cybersecurity is also important to them," says Evelien Vanhooren, partner at delaware Belux.

Guided by colleagues from delaware, the children worked on some digital assignments themselves. One of the main events was the "Cyber Hero Challenge," where the kids learned ways to recognize phishing, think about safe passwords, and how to become cyber heroes themselves.

"Digital resilience doesn't just start in the workplace, it starts at a young age. Children today come into contact with AI, apps, games, and online risks at a young age, often without even knowing it. Through this workshop, we want to offer a positive and playful way to help them use technology safely, critically, and with confidence, while also showing that IT is creative, accessible, and fun. The first edition in Ghent fits well with delaware's broader commitment to bringing digital skills closer to the next generation in a low-threshold way," concludes Evelien Vanhooren, partner at delaware Belux.