Is AI Safe for Kids? What Parents Need to Know About Chatbots and Online Safety

Is AI Safe for Kids? What Parents Need to Know About Chatbots and Online Safety

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere. From voice assistants to video game characters to the homework helpers your child may already be chatting with. As it becomes more woven into daily life, parents face a big question: “Is AI safe for kids?” 

The answer is complicated! Like many tools, AI can be both helpful and risky depending on how it’s used. Here's what you need to know about the tools your kid may be using and how to create a safe digital space at home.

AI Tools Kids Are Using Today

Today’s kids are growing up with smart technology and AI tools are more accessible than ever! These tools can be fun, engaging, and educational, but they also raise new questions for parents about their kids’ online use and safety.

Let’s look at some of the most popular ones kids are using:

  • ChatGPT: OpenAI’s chatbot that answers questions, tells stories, and can help with schoolwork or brainstorming ideas. It’s widely used by students and adults.

  • Google Gemini: Google’s AI chatbot, previously known as Bard, is integrated into Google’s apps. It can generate text, images, audio, and code.  

  • My AI: Snapchat’s built-in AI chatbot on their app that can answer questions and share advice. Many tweens and teens use it without realizing it’s powered by AI.

  • Character.ai: An AI chatbot platform that allows users to chat with AI-generated characters, often used for entertainment and storytelling.

  • Roblox AI: Roblox has introduced AI tools to help users create 3D objects and games more easily with prompting that can generate code and images.

AI Safety Concerns of Parents

Unsupervised or excessive use of AI by kids can lead to many risks. Here are some of the top concerns that you should consider when it comes to the safety of your child:

  • Privacy and Data Collection: Many chatbots collect data to improve their models. That means your child’s questions, conversations, and personal information might be stored, analyzed, or sold.

  • Misinformation and Inappropriate Content: AI tools can sometimes produce incorrect or age-inappropriate responses and images. Kids may not always know how to tell fact from fiction, especially if the chatbot is confident and validating.

  • Emotional Dependence and Confusion: Some kids may start to treat chatbots as companions or friends, which can blur the line between real and artificial relationships. The bond or attachment they form can be confusing and impact how they interact with people.

The Upsides of AI for Kids

There are also upsides to using AI for kids with the guidance of adults. AI can expand a child’s curiosity, and be used as a helper. Here’s how educational AI tools can support kids learning in healthy ways:

  • Creativity Boost: AI art platforms can inspire imaginative storytelling and art-making in kids.

  • Personalized Learning: Chatbots can explain a variety of topics and adapt to a child’s learning pace.

  • Tech Literacy: AI tools can teach kids how to interact with new technology and develop digital skills.

3 Online Safety Tips for Using AI at Home

You don’t have to be tech savvy to keep your child safe online. These simple tips can help create healthy habits using AI:

  1. Set Clear Rules on AI Use: Establish boundaries for when, where, and how your child can use AI. 

💡Only use AI tools in common areas like the kitchen or living room.

💡Limit use to schoolwork or creative projects, not casual chatting.

💡Require your kid to ask before trying new AI platforms.

  1. Talk About What’s Real vs. Generated: Ask questions to have conversations about how chatbots generate responses based on patterns in data, not lived experiences. 

💬“Does this answer make sense?”

💬“Could this be made up?”

💬“Is this trustworthy advice?”

  1. Emphasize Critical Thinking Online: Teach your child that it’s okay to use AI tools, but they need to check the information and think about it.

☑️Research information with trusted websites or sources.

☑️Ask a parent, teacher, or adult for clarification.

☑️Learn how to spot bias, errors, or missing context.

AI is here to stay, and your child is likely to grow up alongside it. With your awareness, guidance, and curiosity, you’ll be better equipped to support them in using AI as a helpful tool and resource, not a friend or babysitter.

Our team at HeyKiddo knows how important this topic is to parents, so check out some of our recent blogs on this topic: 

➡️ Boosting Digital Literacy: Teaching Kids About Fake News and Facts

➡️ Help! My Child’s Spending Time Chatting With AI

➡️ How to Teach Kids to Make Smart Choices Online: A Parent’s Guide