Over the years I have published nearly 200 articles here on BLOGGING THE KNIGHTS’ QUEST. As time went by some facts and details have changed. Technology certainly has, too. This includes our platform: WORDPRESS.
I will be refreshing many of my articles in terms of both content and platform currency. Please be patient as this is a HUGE undertaking. I will also be publishing new articles, as well.
Buddy
For many parents, hardly a day goes by without the mention of “Artificial Intelligence”, shortened by either “A.I.” or “AI”. For children and youth, AI is becoming an ever-present tool and, unfortunately, companion. Parents must therefore become familiar with AI and the PROS and CONS of its use by our children. As with the vast majority of new technologies, AI by itself is neither “good” nor “evil” (so far). How AI and the family interact can both help and harm.
Often people hear the term “Artificial Intelligence” and immediately think of computer systems that have run amok and threaten humanity. Some of the more infamous AIs are
In these movies the computers seemed “alive”.
Let us start by defining exactly what we mean when we speak of Artificial Intelligence by looking at what it is, how it works, and what it cannot do.
What is AI?
AI is technology, a combination of hardware and software, that can imitate some forms of human thinking and behavior. This included learning patterns, recognizing speech, making decisions based upon data, and even creatingitems, both hardware and software. AI requires a huge amount of processing power and storage.
How does AI work?
Aside from the computer hardware, AI is merely a collection of software programs created by people. These programs run “algorithms,” or sets of rules to be followed, that are designed by humans. The programs also enable “machine learning,” which is merely a way for the program to adjust its rules and patterns based upon the data it receives and interacts with.
What is AI unable to do?
AI is not “alive.” It just seems that way. AI cannot feel emotions nor canit “feel” anything. It has no desires. AI cannot understand itself. It may seem like it is “thinking,” but it really is only executing the software it received from its creator. AI is not a living creature. AI is merely a tool. Let’s look at the upside of AI and the Family!
Within the family, AI can be very useful in many ways:
Here are some articles that illustrate potential benefits of using AI in the home:
These are just some of the many ways AI can help the family. Additionally, AI is even being integrated into new household robots that “learn” what needs to be done around the house! (Please let them learn to fold and iron laundry!!!!)
But, just like household cleaners, tools, and other items in the house, a good parent makes sure that safeguards are in place!
When looking at AI and the family we have to realize that there are both challenges and risks. Remember, AI itself is not evil, but it can be USED for evil or damaging purposes. It use by our children must be guided by wisdom, self-control, and sound biblical values. Here are examples of how AI use can be detrimental or outright dangerous.
Here are some articles that illustrate potential problems with AI in the home. Keep in mind, these are some of the more extreme examples in order to “make the news”:
With all of this, what should responsible parents do with regard to AI and teh family?
Here are my recommendations:
As with all things Internet, AI is not a reason to panic. Wise parents must learn about AI, its benefits and dangers, and what to do. Here are some articles on parenting in the Age of AI:
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Join us in our work to educate and equip parents to keep their children safer with technology by donating on our website! Your donation enables Knights’ Quest to keep up with the ever-changing hardware and software that our kids get involved with. And you know how expensive that is!
Note: And, yes, I do make use of AI in the ministry! During the research for and creation of this post, I made use of the AI chatbot ChatGPT. ChatGPT was used to create all the graphics as well as perform research. It was not used to create the article, itself!
Over the years I’ve often gotten this question:
“Should I get my kid an Apple or Android phone?“
That can be an important decision, especially if you are concerned about security and parental controls.
So, let’s take a look at the features and differences between the Android and Apple iOS operating systems.
Apple Computer’s AIRDROP feature in the macOS and iOS operating systems is very handy. It allows you to transfer pictures, videos, and other types of files quickly to other nearby Apple users. But, like most technologies, there are hazards, especially with children and teens. So, let’s learn how Apple’s AIRDROP can land your child in T-R-O-U-B-L-E!!!!
In case you are unfamiliar with Apple’s AIRDROP, it works like this:
There is also an Android equivalent,
The problem can arise with “who is eligible”.
On the SETTINGS >>> AIRDROP screen you can control who you receive files from:
And herein lies one of the major dangers: If a person has not restricted who they can receive an AIRDROP from, then they can be “AIRDROP-ed” by anyone. While ideally this would be someone with good intention and who wants to send the picture of a cute kitten, etc., this also enables your device to be “bombed” by folks with mischievous or even evil intent.
Check out this headline:
The teenager (age unknown) in the article was on a plane and decided to AIRDROP the picture of an Airsoft gun to whomever he could connect to. Not a very wise decision, obviously. Now that young person is having close encounters with some “very serious people” who have absolutely ZERO sense of humor where potential terrorism and crime are concerned.
The thing is, when you think about a child’s mind, including a teen’s, it is not hard to see them doing something like this. As a child/teen, they are unaware of the large issues and dangers they are playing with. Parents need to sit down and talk to them about not “photo-bombing” people in this way.
But, there is other blame to be had. In my opinion, the folks who had their devices wide open hold a portion of blame, as well. We don’t feel sorry for people who leave cars or houses unlocked. In some jurisdictions you can even be cited for it, because your behavior “fosters” crime. All the recipients of the AIRDROP photo should not have had AIRDROP settings that allowed a total stranger to send them anything. Besides a photo-bomb such as this, it is a perfect way to get infected by a virus or malware (and, YES, Apple devices are at risk, too).
Even if the AIRDROP-ed file is not and image of a weapon or other form of perceived threat, AIRDROP can get children in trouble with other types of content:
By and large, technologies are neither bad or good (there are always exceptions). The danger lies in how they are used and mis-used. So, have a talk with your kids about how to responsibly use AIRDROP. And help them change their own settings so they don’t get an unwanted surprise!
You might also like these articles!
The Canopy Parental Control apps are a great choice for parents wanting to limit what their children can access online, either via phone/tablet or computer. They not only filter inappropriate web sites but also use AI to filter images/videos and to prevent sexting! Let’s take a look!
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ROBLOX, the online game/world, recently announced important updates to its parental controls. Rather than repeat it all, here are some links to help parents understand and implement parental controls for ROBLOX.
Enjoy!
Note: This post will be tasteful, but will deal with adult issues in marriage.
Updated 2024
Over the years of working with Knights’ Quest I have received some interesting questions about Christian sexuality, whether it is about talking to kids about sex or God’s plan for marriage.
One type of question comes up fairly often, usually by anonymous means. The two most common versions of this question are:
Is ___________ OK for Christian couples?
or
What are God’s boundaries for physical love between husband and wife?
Let’s face it. They didn’t cover this in Seminary all that much, either. At least, not in the ’90s. And it really isn’t suitable for Sunday Morning Worship unless you have a strictly “18 and over” service (I’ve preached one of those….).
UPDATED: 2024
Let’s face it, when you are dating, even in middle school, you are on a voyage of discovery. Ideally, you are discovering:
• What is “out there”.
• What you like, and dislike, in the opposite sex.
• How to navigate social interactions with the opposite sex.
• How to handle, and discipline, yourself.
• How to judge character and social/family potential.
That is why we go on movie and dinner dates, ask our friends “What do you think?”, and even come up with “tests” to see what the other is really like.
Young people begin holding hands, hugging and kissing, and hopefully not much else. This is the ideal. While there are vulnerabilities that are exposed and sometimes injured, the relationship is about friendship and love.
But, when young people, or even adults, begin crossing sexual boundaries it clouds things up. The relationship transforms from one where friendship, affection, and respect are central to one where lust and selfish desire rule.
Updated: 2024
Most parents want to protect their children from inappropriate and harmful material on the Internet. The problem is: HOW?
Well, it boils down to two battlefields: Your home Internet connection and network, and….everywhere else!
With devices attached to your network, either by cable or WI-FI, you can filter out inappropriate web-based materials in one of two ways:
The first is an expensive and never-ending fight as computers, game consoles, tablets, and other devices come and go. That’s why the second option is the most attractive: Filter the Internet at the entry point, and you don’t care what devices come and go. If they use your network to access the Web, they are filtered.
Fortunately, this is very inexpensive. In fact, one of the best products for doing this is offered for FREE. It’s called OPENDNS, and I consider it the “seat-belt for the Internet”.
Let’s look at how this can protect your family, including the husband and wife, too!
This year, 2024, is turning out to be an interesting one with regards to children’s access to online pornography. Sixteen states have passed new laws requiring stricter levels of proof that a viewer is over the age of 18 before a web site can allow them to view their pages. These states are: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Virginia. Because of these new laws many porn sites, including PornHub & xHamster (#1 & #4, worldwide, respectively) have electronically “boycotted” those states in protest. To be fair, they also did it to avoid the wrath of various states’ Attorneys General!
What’s going on here?
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