Helping Your Child Use AI and Keep Thinking

Your child will grow up with AI, and you can help them steer

Think of AI as a fast car with a GPS. It can take you a long way, but the driver has to know where they're going, and notice when the GPS has sent you the wrong way.

A few simple questions to chat about at home are a good place to start. You don't need to do them all, do them every day, or be good with technology. Asking often is enough.

Ask "How do we know?"

AI sometimes answers in a confident voice, even when the answer may be off. Encourage your child to ask, "How do we know?" Then look for another source together.

Praise your child for being curious and checking, whether or not they find a mistake.

Looking at AI images and videos together

Some AI-made pictures and videos may look very realistic. Look at one together and pick a question to ask: Who made this? Where did it come from? Does anyone else report the same story?

If your child or you answer "I don't know yet", that's fine. No need to rush to share it.

Let your child think first, then bring in AI

Sometimes, before opening AI, try asking your child, "What do you think?" It's fine if they don't have an answer yet. You can ask AI together.

Researchers are still learning how AI affects children's thinking. It's an easy thing to try at home.

Keep your child's personal details private

Some things are best kept to yourselves and not typed into AI: full name, home address, school name and phone number. Don't upload photos of your child's face either, and keep other family members' details private too.

Set a family rule: if you're not sure, ask a grown-up before typing. If your child has already typed something, that's okay. You can start the rule today.

If your child treats a chatbot like a friend

Some children chat with a chatbot as they would with a friend. Researchers are still learning about this.

Talk with your child as if you want to listen, the way you'd ask how their day went, not as an inspection. Talking with a chatbot isn't wrong. Tell your child that a chatbot is a computer program.

If your child seems lonely, stressed, glued to it, or mentions hurting themselves, talk to their teacher or a professional.

Check each service's age rules

Every AI service sets its own minimum age, and some ask a parent to give permission. Before your child uses one, read its rules of use together.

What to do at each age

Adjust these to fit your own child. Use services that suit their age and follow each service's rules of use.

• Ages 3 to 5: an adult uses it alongside them, and your child sits, watches and chats. They don't need to use it themselves
• Ages 6 to 8: use it together, and let your child say what they're curious about
• Ages 9 to 11: they can try asking, through your account, with you nearby in case they want to talk
• Ages 12 to 14: they can use it on their own in a service suited to their age, and you talk about how they check answers
• Ages 15 to 17: they make more of their own choices, you keep the door open for questions, and you listen when they want to share

A daily documentary builds the same habits

Talking with your child after a daily documentary gives them practice at telling, listening and thinking for themselves, which carries over to AI.

We believe the more of the world your child knows, the better base they have for noticing when an answer sounds off, like a driver who knows the roads and can make the most of GPS.

Ready to try? See the 14-Day Starter Guide