How TikTok bots and AI have powered a resurgence in UK far-right violence & how to deal with it as parents.

How TikTok bots and AI have powered a resurgence in UK far-right violence & how to deal with it as parents.

Less than three hours after the stabbing attack on Monday that led to the death of three children, an AI-generated image was shared on X by an account called Europe Invasion. It depicted bearded men in traditional Muslim dress outside the Houses of Parliament, one waving a knife, behind a crying child in a union jack T-shirt.

The tweet, which has since been viewed 900,000 times, was captioned: “We must protect our children!” and shared by one of the most potent accounts for misinformation about the Southport stabbings.

AI technology has been used in other ways, including an anti-immigration Facebook group that illustrated a call to attend a rally in Middlesbrough by generating an image of a large crowd at the town’s cenotaph.

Platforms like Suno – which employs AI to generate music complete with vocals and instruments – have been used to create online songs combining references to Southport with xenophobic content. Titles include “Southport Saga” featuring an AI female voice singing lyrics such as “hunt them down somehow”.

Experts have warned that new tools and ways of organising have seen Britain’s fractured far right exploit the Southport attack to unify and rejuvenate its presence on the streets.

In a surge of activity not seen for years, more than 10 protests are being promoted across social media platforms such as X, TikTok and Facebook in the aftermath of violent disorder up and down the country.

Death threats against the UK prime minister, incitement to attack government property and extreme antisemitism were also among the comments on the Telegram channel of one extreme-right outfit this week.

Amid fears of violence spreading, a leading counter-extremism thinktank warned there was a risk that the far right could achieve a mobilisation not seen since the English Defence League (EDL) burst on to the streets in the 2010s.

An added new dimension has come with the advent of easily accessible AI tools that extremists have been using to create material ranging from inflammatory images to songs and music.

So the big question is, ‘What do governments, society, the police, the Intelligence Service & big tech do about this enormous problem & what do parents do about ‘talking & teaching’ their kids about inciteful, dangerous & misleading information?’

Keir Starmer the prime minister said there was “a balance to be struck” when it came to social media platforms’ efforts to tackle misinformation online, with discussion needed on whether they could face consequences if they failed to act.

“Let me also say to large social media companies and those who run them: violent disorder, clearly whipped up online, that is also a crime, it’s happening on your premises, and the law must be upheld everywhere.

“That is the single most important duty of government; service rests on security. We will take all necessary action to keep our streets safe.”

There’s no easy answer for navigating the digital jungle of inciteful social media, except for constantly talking to kids about it. I write about ‘Talking and Teaching Your Kids About Click Farms.’ which might be a starting point & also talking about AI bots & the intentions behind some Tik Tok accounts.

https://sueatkinsparentingcoach.com/2024/07/talking-and-teaching-your-kids-about-click-farms/

It’s an absolute minefield but the most important skill to teach kids is critical thinking.

I’m planning Season 2 of Navigating the Digital Jungle with Sue Atkins and Friends podcast – what topics would you like us to discuss?

Meanwhile you can listen to Season 1 here of Navigating the Digital Jungle With Sue Atkins and Friends

Episode 9: Navigating the AI Digital Jungle

https://navigatingthedigitaljungle.com/episode-9-navigating-the-ai-digital-jungle/

Reference: The Guardian