The project aimed to empower parents and adult education professionals in a European context to competently guide children in their interaction with artificial intelligence. The focus was on strengthening digital and reflective competencies, particularly an understanding of AI's functionality, opportunities, and risks, as well as promoting responsible and values-based engagement. A key objective was the development of a practical, multilingual guide to provide parents with everyday guidance and strengthen their role in raising their children. Furthermore, the project aimed to consolidate knowledge, compile best practices, and translate them into a Europe-wide educational resource through transnational exchange among partner organizations. Additionally, a position paper was developed to stimulate educational institutions and policymakers, urging them to more effectively integrate the importance of parental education, ethical reflection, and children's rights in the context of AI into educational policy processes.
Our Foundation for Media and Online Addiction has many years of experience in media education and continuously addresses current social developments. With the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into everyday family life, a clear need for support among parents became apparent, not only in Germany but also among our partner organizations in Greece, Slovenia, and other European contexts. Our practical experience and preliminary surveys in the partner countries confirmed that parents across Europe are uncertain about how to use AI and need concrete guidance. The goal was therefore to jointly develop a practical guide to media education that conveys knowledge about how AI works, assesses its opportunities and risks, and supports parents in their daily lives. At the same time, there was a need for reflection on ethical issues as well as for materials for adult education professionals. The project thus addressed a Europe-wide gap in information, practical skills, and pedagogical support regarding the use of AI. By developing a multilingual, digitally accessible parent guide, an easily accessible resource was created that specifically addresses these needs.