September 2025 Newsletter
Protecting children. Empowering communities.

A letter from the CEO

Artificial Intelligence and the safety of children

Artificial Intelligence. A few years ago, I was not aware of the dangers until my friend, Rep. Krista Griffith, was appointed to a commission on AI, and she advised me about a tool that can do amazing things but can be very dangerous to children. The dangers are not simply inappropriate content!

There is a wide array of risks to children, including data privacy, mental health concerns, and cyberbullying, including deepfakes.

Parents, educators, and technology companies all have a role to play in keeping children safe. We need to work together to protect the health and safety of children.

There are significant risks to children from artificial intelligence, and it is important that parents know what is going on. Children are susceptible to manipulation, and manipulation is the name of the game. Deep fakes are creating new and different ways to harass people online.

Generative AI can produce highly realistic deepfakes that alter photos and videos to shame or blackmail victims. These fake images and videos are difficult for victims to dispute and can cause significant psychological distress.

AI-powered devices like smart toys and virtual assistants often collect personal data, including voices and preferences, which can be stored, analyzed, and even sold to third parties. Children often do not understand the implications of this data collection, making them particularly vulnerable.

Significant reliance on AI via companions, chatbots, or online personalities can prevent children from developing crucial social skills through real-world interaction. Children are known to have developed dangerous “parasocial” dependencies.

AI systems may generate harmful, biased, or discriminatory content. AI algorithms maximize engagement, which can lead to children being exposed to sensational or inappropriate material. As AI-generated influencers become more common, children struggle to distinguish between entertainment and commercial content.

Parents and caregivers must take a very active role in ensuring AI protections for children. This includes, once again, having age-appropriate discussions and setting limitations on children.

• Promote open dialogue: Have honest, age-appropriate conversations with children about their online activities. Create a trusting environment where they feel comfortable sharing their digital experiences and concerns.
• Teach digital literacy: Help children develop the skills to question and verify online information. Teach them to recognize manipulated content, question the authenticity of AI-generated messages, and understand that AI can be inaccurate or biased.
• Set healthy boundaries: Monitor AI usage and set clear limits on screen time. Balance AI-driven entertainment with real-world activities that build social and emotional skills.
• Adjust privacy settings and controls: Review privacy policies of AI-powered apps and devices. Use parental controls and adjust settings to limit data collection, content exposure, and who can interact with your child.
• Stay informed and involved: Understand the AI tools your child uses. Engage with their digital experiences and remain up-to-date on new AI developments and risks

How we prevent child abuse

One in ten children will experience sexual abuse before turning 18. Most will never report it. Not because they are not hurting, but because the person who harmed them is someone they know and trust.

Too often, abuse is hidden in plain sight. Adults hesitate, unsure what to do or whether their concerns are valid. That is why strong policies and practical training are essential.

The Foundation helps child-serving organizations create safer environments through our Shield of Protection® Initiative. We review child protection policies, offer training led by experts, and help teams build a culture of safety and accountability.

This includes programs like:

• Recognizing and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect, Delaware’s mandatory reporter course
• Workshops for adults on setting healthy boundaries, identifying signs of grooming, navigating digital safety, and creating safe environments in schools and youth programs
• Workshops for children on recognizing safe and unsafe situations, understanding boundaries, and knowing when and how to speak up and seek help from a trusted adult

Prevention is not about checking a box. It is about asking the hard questions, staying current, and refusing to assume everything is fine.

Free community session: learn how to recognize and report abuse

Every adult has a responsibility to help protect children, whether you are a teacher, coach, volunteer, parent, or concerned community member. That starts with knowing what to look for, what to do, and how to create safer environments where children can grow and thrive.

Join the Beau Biden Foundation on Wednesday, October 16, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Lewes Public Library for a free community information session designed to equip you with practical tools that make a difference.

This session will cover:

• How to recognize and report child abuse
• Ways to prevent abuse in your community
• The responsibilities of mandatory reporters in Delaware

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is preferred.

Together, we can create a safer future for children.

Lewes Public Library
111 Adams Ave. | Lewes, DE
October 16, 2025 | 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Sponsored by the Lewes-Rehoboth Beach Rotary

Save the date: 2026 Child Protection Classic events

Mark your calendars for two meaningful days of golf, connection, and community support.

• May 14, 2026 at Newark Country Club
• August 10, 2026 at DuPont Country Club

These events are more than a day on the course. Every round played, every bid placed, and every conversation shared helps fund training, workshops, and policy support that protect children from abuse.

When you show up, you help us build a stronger shield of protection for children across Delaware and beyond.

Stay tuned for registration and sponsorship opportunities coming soon!

Events that support prevention

Your role matters

The work of protecting children is not limited to a single person, profession, or organization. It is shared across families, schools, community centers, and every place where children live and learn. At the Beau Biden Foundation, we are building that shared responsibility into action.

When you take the time to read a blog, attend an event, or introduce a friend to our mission, you are helping grow a culture of prevention. You are showing that child protection is not someone else’s job. It is a value we all hold, and a responsibility we all share.

Let’s keep going. Know someone who should receive these updates? Share this link.