Dear Annie: I just read a story in the newspaper about some high school boys using artificial intelligence to create nude images of girls in the same school and then posting them on social media. I also read a story earlier about something similar happening in Spain.

As the father of a grade school daughter, I am really alarmed about what is happening with AI as it affects kids today. It is all part of social media, which can be so dangerous for children. It takes bullying to a whole new level.

I remember when there was an incident at my daughter’s school where a boy posted a photo of one of her friends and asked the other boys in the class to comment on her looks. A few were complimentary, but some were downright vicious. Can you imagine being that girl?

Maybe we need laws to keep young people off social media, just as we have laws keeping them away from alcohol and tobacco. I’m curious to hear your thoughts. — Anti-Social Media for Kids

Dear Anti-Social Media for Kids: I agree with you 100%. Social media for kids is bad enough, but throw in AI and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Bullying has been around forever, but when today’s adults were kids, if they were bullied, it was private and temporary. But on social media, bullying is permanent; it is almost impossible to remove a digital footprint — and public. Everyone sees it. No wonder there has been an increase in the number of teenage suicides.

Based on the number of letters I have been receiving on this subject, the politicians need to unite in clamping down on the forces that are making this nightmare of public and permanent bullying possible.

Read more Dear Annie and other advice columns.

“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM