Is ChatGPT Safe for Kids? A Practical Guide for Parents

ChatGPT and other AI chatbots can be useful for learning, but they are not designed to be left unsupervised with young children. The main issues are age rules, wrong answers, privacy and homework honesty.

1. Check the age rules

AI tools have their own terms. At the time of writing, OpenAI's terms for ChatGPT set a minimum age of 13 and ask for a parent's or guardian's permission for users under 18. Terms change, so check the current rules of any tool before your child uses it.

2. Remember that AI can be wrong

AI chatbots sometimes give confident answers that are false. Teach your child to treat an AI answer as a first draft and to check important facts with a textbook, a teacher or a trusted website.

3. Protect personal information

Children should never type their full name, address, school, phone number or photos of themselves into an AI tool. A good rule: if you would not say it to a stranger, do not type it.

4. Keep homework honest

Using AI to explain a topic is different from copying its answer. Agree with your child's teacher what is allowed, and ask your child to explain any AI-assisted work in their own words.

5. Use it together first

Sit with your child for the first sessions. Ask questions together, notice mistakes together and talk about how the answer was produced.

Learning to use AI well

Understanding how AI works is the best protection. Our AI classes include lessons on AI ethics, safety and when not to trust it. For help choosing an age-appropriate start, read the best age to start learning AI.