Certified AI ethics assessor shares tips on digital literacy for children
November 11, 2024
By Joe Pan
Mila Devenport, founder of the Kigumi Group, is pioneering efforts to integrate AI ethics into digital literacy for children. Her work focuses on equipping parents and educators with tools to navigate the complexities of raising children in an increasingly digital world.
“Having a learning mindset is crucial,” Devenport emphasizes. “Skepticism is part of that, but it’s actually a spirit of inquiry that drives this space.”
Devenport’s journey began with her certification as an AI ethics assessor by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the world’s largest technical professional organization. This certification underscores her commitment to ethical considerations in technology. “The certification equips individuals to frame ethical considerations for autonomous intelligent systems,” she explains.
The Kigumi Group’s mission is to address the cultural gaps in digital well-being resources for children. “Most resources are designed for a Western audience,” Devenport notes. “We need culturally sensitive materials that resonate with children globally.”
Devenport advocates for open communication between parents and children as a cornerstone of digital literacy. “If you’re only giving me one thing to choose, it’s building a trusting relationship with your child,” she advises. “This has the greatest impact on their mental health and sense of safety.”
The Kigumi Group’s approach includes a unique three-by-three grid model focusing on user verification, parental controls, and content moderation to enhance online safety for children. “It’s about creating a landscape view that different stakeholders can understand,” Devenport says. This model aims to bridge gaps between various sectors involved in child safety.
Detailing the specifics of the 3×3 grid, Devenport explains that the three main issues recurring for children from a gaming perspective are user verification, parental controls, and content moderation. These issues are then channeled into either risk or safety features across three categories: content, contact, and conduct. This grid provides a comprehensive overview for stakeholders from different backgrounds, facilitating a shared understanding of the challenges and potential solutions in child online safety.
While there are consultancies and social impact enterprises addressing similar initiatives on gaming and digital literacy, such as Common Sense Media based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Devenport notes that to her knowledge, there are no organizations specifically focused on Asian demographics in this space. This gap underscores the importance of Kigumi Group’s work in addressing the unique needs of Asian markets.
The need for cultural sensitivity in digital literacy is exemplified by an anecdote Devenport shared from her research. When discussing a training program focused on self-esteem and confidence for young women with Korean teachers, she received crucial feedback. “The Korean teachers would say, ‘That’s great. I’m on board personally. I already see some issues amongst my preteen girls that I want to address,'” Devenport recounts. “And then they’d look through the training from Western companies and they’d say, ‘But we can’t use the word feminism in our training.'” This experience highlighted the necessity for culturally nuanced approaches in educational materials, demonstrating that effective digital literacy education must be localized and customized to resonate with specific cultural contexts.
As AI continues to evolve, Devenport believes that ethical considerations must remain at the forefront. “It’s uncharted waters,” she states. “We must maintain a strong level of skepticism to navigate these challenges effectively.”
Looking ahead, Devenport sees potential in companies like K-ID from Singapore, which offer affordable tools for parental controls and age-appropriate platforms. These solutions demonstrate how technology can be leveraged ethically to protect children online. Devenport advises, “We have to straddle as many different languages as we can so that everyone does feel that it is their problem. This approach ensures that solutions are inclusive and effective across diverse communities.”
In addressing the challenges of parenting in the digital age, Devenport emphasizes the importance of building trust and open communication with children. “If you’re only giving me one thing to choose, it’s building a trusting relationship with your child,” she reiterates. “This has the greatest impact on their mental health and sense of safety. It’s crucial that children feel they have someone to go to when something goes wrong, without fear of judgment or harsh discipline. This foundation of trust can be the most effective tool in navigating the complexities of the digital world and ensuring children’s well-being.”
About the author
Joe Pan is an editor at Blockwind News and an early adopter of blockchain technology. He has covered major crypto conferences globally since 2019 and frequently moderates Web3 events across Asia. Joe is part of the founding team of NFTMetta and Blockwind News.
