AI for kids: what parents should know, in plain language

AI tools are now part of everyday life, and children are curious about them. You do not have to be a technology expert to guide your child. A few clear ideas and house rules go a long way.

What is AI, simply?

"AI" usually means software that learns patterns from large amounts of data and uses them to make predictions or produce content. A chatbot such as the ones many children hear about predicts likely words based on patterns in text it has learned from. That is why it can write fluently, and also why it can be confidently wrong.

What AI is good at, and where it goes wrong

Often useful for: explaining an idea in simple words, giving examples, brainstorming, checking grammar, and generating practice questions.

Be careful because it can:

• State wrong things confidently, including invented facts or sources ("hallucinations").
• Reflect bias found in the data it learned from.
• Make mistakes in maths and logic, especially multi-step problems. Always check with a calculator or a teacher; our free scientific calculator and other tools show their working.
• Sound friendly, which can make it seem more reliable and "human" than it is.

Privacy and safety rules

• Never share personal information: full name, address, school, phone number, passwords or photos. Treat anything typed into a tool as something that may be stored.
• Check the age rules. Many AI tools set a minimum age, often 13 or 18, or need a parent's permission. Check the terms of each tool, and use accounts and settings designed for children where available.
• Use a parent's or school-approved account with the right settings, rather than a child signing up alone.
• Be wary of sharing images of a child or anyone else.
• Talk about what to do if something upsetting appears: stop, close it and tell a trusted adult.

Using AI to learn, not to cheat

A good rule: AI can help you understand, but the work should still be yours.

• Ask it to explain a concept in a new way, not to write the whole answer.
• Ask for practice questions, then try them yourself.
• Always check facts with a textbook, teacher or reliable source.
• Follow your school's rules about AI in homework and exams, which differ from school to school.

Questions to ask your child

• "What did you ask the AI, and what did it say?"
• "How could we check whether that's right?"
• "Is there anything it said that seems odd?"
• "What did you learn yourself, apart from the AI's answer?"

These questions build critical thinking, which is the most important AI skill of all.

Healthy use at home

Agree some simple rules together: when and where AI tools can be used, no personal information, check important answers, and balance with offline time, reading and play. Keep devices where you can see them for younger children.

Learning how AI works

Understanding how AI works makes it less mysterious and more useful. In our AI classes for curious kids, sessions can combine discussion, coding and a small creative project matched to age and readiness, so learners see where AI helps, where it fails and why its answers need checking. A parent or guardian can ask about level.

If your child is just getting started with code, see our Python for kids guide.

Common questions

What age should children start using AI tools?

It depends on the tool and the child. Many tools have minimum ages, often 13 or 18, so check the terms. For younger children, use AI together, with an adult, and only through child-appropriate tools.

Can AI do my child's homework?

It can produce answers, but that is not the same as learning, and many schools have rules about it. Encourage your child to use AI to understand and to practise, and to do the final work themselves.

Is AI safe for children?

It can be used safely with supervision, privacy rules and the right settings. The main risks are sharing personal information, wrong or unsuitable answers and over-reliance. Talk about these openly.

How can I tell if an AI answer is wrong?

Check it against a trusted source, ask for reasons and check the working yourself. If it is a maths answer, use a calculator. If a fact seems strange, search for it.

Will AI replace the need to learn maths or coding?

Learning the basics is still important. Understanding maths and code helps you use AI well, spot its mistakes and make good decisions with it.

This guide is general information. For exams, follow your school, teacher and official exam board, and use your own judgement about what suits your child.