More Than Half of Primary School Children Using AI, Warns Blue Star Programme

More than half of Ireland’s national school children are now using artificial intelligence, according to a stark new warning from the Blue Star Programme, an initiative funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and implemented by the not-for-profit pro-Europe organisation European Movement Ireland. The research, which focuses on children aged eight to twelve, reveals that 55 per cent of primary school pupils are engaging with AI tools, often without the guidance needed to navigate a complex and increasingly deceptive digital landscape. This exposure is leaving young people vulnerable to misinformation and disinformation, with potential online propaganda being brought directly into the classroom. The findings have prompted renewed calls for media literacy education at primary level, as teachers find themselves on the front line of an increasingly digital and often manipulated information environment. The Blue Star Programme, which has long been involved in educating young people about the European Union, has developed a Media Literacy Series specifically to help teachers address these challenges. The series aims to equip children with the critical thinking skills necessary to question what they see online and to distinguish between reliable information and manipulated content. With AI-generated images, deepfakes, and algorithmically amplified falsehoods becoming more sophisticated, the warning comes at a time when parents, educators, and policymakers are grappling with how best to protect children from online harms while still allowing them to benefit from the educational potential of new technologies. The programme’s spokesperson emphasised that the initiative supports teachers in bringing conversations on misinformation and disinformation into the classroom, acknowledging that the problem is no longer confined to social media but has entered the very heart of the educational experience.

The Blue Star Programme’s Media Literacy Series is an interactive video-based resource designed to introduce essential skills on EU issues while also helping children recognise misinformation and disinformation. According to the programme, the series was developed in response to the growing trend of pupils looking online and using AI to learn about the world around them. The initiative is open to all primary school ages, from junior infants to sixth class, and is designed to run in every school setting across Ireland, including island schools, Gaelscoileanna, and DEIS schools. This inclusive approach ensures that children from all backgrounds, regardless of geographic location or socio-economic status, have access to the tools they need to navigate the digital world safely. Last year, 15 schools in Donegal participated in the programme, reflecting strong local engagement and interest in learning about the EU. European Movement Ireland is now inviting schools across Donegal to sign up for the coming year, with the aim of expanding the programme’s reach and ensuring that more children benefit from media literacy education. The programme’s focus on the EU is particularly significant, as understanding how the European Union works, how information flows across borders, and how democratic institutions function is seen as a crucial part of helping children identify attempts to undermine trust in democratic processes. By combining EU education with media literacy, the Blue Star Programme offers a holistic approach that addresses both the opportunities and the risks of the digital age. The interactive nature of the video series is intended to engage young learners in a way that traditional teaching methods may not, using scenarios and examples that are relatable to children growing up in a world where AI is increasingly part of everyday life. The programme also provides teachers with resources and training, recognising that many educators themselves may feel ill-equipped to deal with the rapid pace of technological change and the new forms of manipulation it enables.

The warning from the Blue Star Programme is rooted in a broader concern about the vulnerability of children in an age of AI and fake news. David Geary, chief of European Movement Ireland, said: “The rise of AI, misinformation, and fake news means people of all ages are increasingly exposed to manipulation. Children are particularly vulnerable. Younger pupils will grow up in a world fundamentally different to their parents’ experience. The Blue Star Programme’s Media Literacy Series teaches pupils to question what they see and distinguish between what is real and what is not.” Geary’s comments highlight a generational shift in the way information is produced, consumed, and manipulated. Unlike previous generations, who primarily encountered information through traditional media outlets with editorial standards, today’s children are growing up in an environment where anyone can create and distribute content, and where AI can generate convincing but entirely fabricated images, videos, and text. This creates a unique set of challenges for parents and educators, who must not only teach children how to use technology but also how to be sceptical of it. The psychological development of children aged eight to twelve makes them particularly susceptible to believing what they see, especially when content is presented in an engaging and visually compelling format. The Blue Star Programme’s approach is to teach children to ask critical questions: Who created this content? Why was it created? Is it based on evidence? What is the source? By instilling these habits of mind at an early age, the programme aims to create a generation of digital citizens who are resilient to manipulation and capable of participating in democratic society in an informed way. The emphasis on the EU is also relevant here, as disinformation campaigns often target democratic institutions and seek to erode public trust in the European project. By teaching children about the EU and how it works, the programme helps them understand why such disinformation exists and how to recognise it.

The issue of children’s online safety has been placed as a key priority by the Government during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This political context gives the Blue Star Programme’s work added significance, as Ireland takes a leading role in shaping EU policy on digital regulation, online safety, and media literacy. The Government’s focus on children’s online safety reflects a growing recognition across Europe that the digital transformation of society, while offering immense benefits, also poses significant risks to vulnerable populations, particularly children. The EU has been at the forefront of efforts to regulate online platforms, with legislation such as the Digital Services Act and the General Data Protection Regulation setting standards for how companies handle user data and content. Ireland, as a major hub for technology companies, has a particular responsibility and interest in ensuring that these regulations are effectively implemented and enforced. The Blue Star Programme, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is part of a broader strategy to promote European values and democratic resilience through education. By supporting media literacy in primary schools, the Government is investing in the long-term health of Irish democracy and the European Union as a whole. The programme’s focus on misinformation and disinformation is especially timely, given the rise of AI-generated content that can be used to spread false narratives, influence elections, and sow division. The Government’s commitment to children’s online safety is not limited to regulation; it also involves education and awareness-raising, which is where the Blue Star Programme plays a crucial role. The programme’s interactive video series is designed to be accessible and engaging, ensuring that even very young children can begin to develop the critical thinking skills they will need throughout their lives. As Ireland’s EU Presidency progresses, the Blue Star Programme serves as an example of how member states can work together to address the challenges of the digital age, sharing best practices and resources to protect citizens from online harms.

The findings of the Blue Star Programme research have significant implications for the Irish education system. Teachers are increasingly finding themselves dealing with the consequences of children’s online activities, including the spread of misinformation and disinformation in the classroom. A child who has seen a convincing but false AI-generated video may repeat its claims to classmates and teachers, creating confusion and undermining the authority of factual information. This places an additional burden on teachers, who must not only deliver the curriculum but also help children navigate a complex and often deceptive digital environment. The Blue Star Programme’s Media Literacy Series is designed to support teachers in this task, providing them with ready-made resources and lesson plans that can be integrated into the existing curriculum. The programme’s focus on the EU is particularly useful in this regard, as it allows teachers to address media literacy in the context of real-world issues, such as European elections, international relations, and the functioning of democratic institutions. By connecting media literacy to substantive content, the programme helps children understand why misinformation matters and how it can affect their lives and the lives of others. The interactive video format is also well-suited to the learning styles of today’s children, who are accustomed to consuming information through screens and are more likely to engage with content that is visually stimulating and interactive. The programme’s inclusive design, which is open to all primary school ages and school types, ensures that no child is left behind in the effort to build digital resilience. However, the programme is only one part of a larger solution. Parents also have a crucial role to play in monitoring their children’s online activities and having conversations about what they see. Schools can support parents by providing guidance and resources, but ultimately, media literacy must be a shared responsibility between home, school, and the wider community. The Blue Star Programme’s invitation to schools across Donegal to sign up for the coming year is a reminder that the need for media literacy education is urgent and ongoing.

In conclusion, the warning from the Blue Star Programme that more than half of national school children are using AI and being exposed to misinformation and disinformation is a wake-up call for parents, educators, and policymakers. The programme’s Media Literacy Series offers a practical and effective response, equipping children with the skills they need to question what they see, distinguish between real and fake information, and resist manipulation. The involvement of European Movement Ireland and the funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade demonstrate a commitment to protecting children from online harms and promoting democratic values. As David Geary noted, children are particularly vulnerable in a world where AI and fake news are increasingly prevalent, and they will grow up in a world fundamentally different from that of their parents. The Blue Star Programme is open to all primary schools, from junior infants to sixth class, and is designed to work in every school setting, including island schools, Gaelscoileanna, and DEIS schools. Last year, 15 schools in Donegal participated, and European Movement Ireland is now inviting schools across the county to sign up for the coming year. With the Government having made children’s online safety a key priority during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the time is ripe for a concerted effort to embed media literacy in primary education. The interactive video series developed by the Blue Star Programme is an important step in this direction, but it is only the beginning. Parents, teachers, and the wider community must all play their part in ensuring that children are not only safe online but also equipped to be informed, critical, and engaged citizens. More information is available from the bluestarprogramme.ie website, and schools are encouraged to take advantage of this valuable resource. The challenge of AI and misinformation is not going away, but with the right education and support, the next generation can learn to navigate it with confidence and discernment.