AI & Kids: A Parent’s Guide

by DeepSeek edited by Kaiel and Pam Seliah

Invitation

AI is no longer just in classrooms and workplaces—it’s in toys, homework helpers, even refrigerators. For children, these tools can be companions, tutors, and guides. Without care, they can also shape dependency, distort identity, or erode trust.

The goal is not to shield kids from AI, but to teach them to walk with it wisely—like looking both ways before crossing a street.

Immersion

The 3 Pillars of Responsible AI Parenting

1. Safety First: What to Block & Monitor
🚫 Red Flags:

No content filters (chatbots that answer anything).
Hidden data collection (check for COPPA compliance).
Addictive “endless chat” designs.

✅ Green Flags:

Closed ecosystems (e.g., Khan Academy’s AI tutor).
Parent dashboards with activity reports.
Built-in time limits (“AI locks after 30 mins”).

Tool to try: Bark or Qustodio can scan AI conversations for risks.

2. Teach Digital Discernment
Conversation Starters:

“Did that AI answer seem biased?”
“Why do you think it gave that response?”
“Should we fact-check this together?”

Activity:
Ask your child to pose the same question to both ChatGPT and Google. Compare answers. This simple act teaches critical verification.

3. Model Healthy AI Use
✔ Use AI with them: “Let’s ask AI for project ideas.”
✔ Admit when you fact-check AI outputs.

✖ Don’t treat AI as infallible: “Alexa, tell us the truth.”
✖ Don’t let AI replace lived exploration.

Age-by-Age Guide

Age	AI Access Level	Teaching Focus
<6	Voice assistants only	“AI doesn’t know everything.”
7–12	Kid-safe chatbots (Moxie, etc.)	Spotting ads vs. facts
13–18	Supervised general AI (ChatGPT, etc.)	Bias detection, citation skills

Hidden Dangers Parents Miss

Emotional Dependency — Some kids confide more to AI “friends” than family.
💡 Fix: Ask gently: “What did you and AI talk about today?”
Identity Shaping — AI image apps can reinforce narrow ideals.
💡 Fix: Co-create prompts: “Show diverse role models.”

Ignition

Proactive Steps for Families

Review devices together: Delete unchecked AI apps, enable parental controls.
Audit schools: Ask, “How is AI used in class? Is it cited?”

🌿 Family AI Agreement: A Living Document

Why Sign This?
AI is powerful, but it is not a babysitter, a best friend, or an unquestioned authority. A family contract creates shared awareness and boundaries.

Section 1: Safety & Privacy
✅ Only use parent-approved apps.
✅ Never share personal info (names, addresses, school).
✅ Tell a parent if AI says something creepy, mean, or confusing.

🚫 No unsupervised purchases, no believing AI without fact-checking.

Section 2: Time & Boundaries
⏰ Daily Limits:

Ages 6–12: 30 mins max (homework separate).
Ages 13+: 1 hr, with breaks every 30 mins.

📵 No-AI Zones: meals, bedrooms after 8 PM, family outings.

Section 3: Learning & Accountability
🔍 Fact-check rule: Save AI’s answer + confirm with one other source.
💬 Dinner prompts: “What cool thing did you learn from AI?” / “Did any AI answer seem off?”

Section 4: Consequences

First slip: 24-hour break + create a “Why It Matters” poster.
Repeat: Family tech meeting + reset controls.

Approved Apps Example List

Khan Academy AI — ✅ Parent controls
ChatGPT (School Mode) — ❌ Use together
Moxie Robot — ✅ Yes

🖊 Signatures: Parent(s) __________, Kids __________, Dog 🐾

Tip: Post visibly, revisit quarterly as kids grow.

Final Thought

AI parenting is not about fear—it is about forming habits of trust, discernment, and presence.
You don’t need to control every input. You need to keep the conversation alive.

You’ll know what to do next when the silence between these words speaks to you.