International Conference “Media and the Family in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” Held at the Catholic University of Croatia

International experts and researchers gathered at our University to discuss the challenges of growing up in a digital world
 

On Wednesday, 10 December 2025, the Catholic University of Croatia hosted the international conference “Media and the Family in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”, bringing together more than 100 domestic and international experts in communication studies, pedagogy, psychology, and digital technologies. The programme featured keynote lectures by leading global scholars and three thematic sections comprising more than 40 parallel presentations, discussions, and research panels on the impact of artificial intelligence on families, children, and media practices.

The conference opened with welcome remarks by Rector Prof. Željko Tanjić and Head of the Department of Communication Studies Prof. Danijel Labaš, followed by the keynote lecture of Prof. Renee Hobbs (University of Rhode Island, USA), titled “It's All in the Family: Media Education in the Age of AI”, in which she analysed the role of the family in developing media and algorithmic literacy. Subsequently, Prof. Pier Cesare Rivoltella (University of Bologna) delivered a lecture on the critical evaluation of information and visual content in an AI-driven society.

In the first thematic block, parallel sessions across two halls presented research on the media representation of generative AI in education, parental attitudes toward the introduction of AI tools in schools, and the communication and ethical aspects of implementing AI in everyday family and educational practices. Topics included children’s identity in algorithmic environments, student perceptions of AI, chatbots as advisory tools for parents and young people, digital masks and online identity construction. Several presentations focused on family communication, generational differences in the use of AI tools, and the challenges of reading and media education in digital settings.

The second part of the conference centred on digital childhood, family mediation, responsible marketing communication toward Generation Alpha, risks posed by deepfake content, and the competencies required of parents in the digital age. Researchers presented data on students’ and teachers’ perceptions of the benefits and challenges of digital technologies, alongside examples of innovative educational tools, including digital picture books and media literacy workshops in early childhood education.

The final block addressed adolescents’ emotional relationship with AI, generational differences in digital literacy, critical thinking within the family, the impact of nighttime screen use on sleep and school performance, the educational potential of films about artificial intelligence, and media ethics through the analysis of recent cases. Presentations also included studies on the use of AI in school and professional environments, gender differences in social media use, and digital communication in early education.

Full conference programme: