ParentPromptsEst. 2025
🛡️

AI Safety Guidelines for Families

Practical rules and frameworks for safe AI use at home — covering privacy, parental controls, and choosing age-appropriate tools.

The 6 Core Safety Rules

Post these on your fridge or share them with your children before they use any AI tool.

1

Always tell a trusted adult

All ages

If an AI says something that makes you feel uncomfortable, scared, or confused — stop and tell a parent or teacher right away.

2

Never share personal information

All ages

Do not type your full name, address, phone number, school name, or passwords into any AI tool.

3

Verify before you trust

All ages

AI can get facts wrong. Always check important information with a book, teacher, or trusted website.

4

AI is a tool, not a friend

All ages

It can seem friendly, but AI does not know you, care about you, or remember you. Don't rely on it emotionally.

5

Use it to learn, not to replace thinking

School age+

Ask AI to explain concepts or give hints — don't just copy its answers. The goal is to understand, not just to finish.

6

Be careful with images and voice

Tweens & teens

Don't upload photos of yourself or family members. Be aware that AI can generate fake images and voices.

Privacy Best Practices

For parents

  • → Review your AI tool's privacy policy before letting children use it
  • → Create accounts with a parent email, not the child's personal email
  • → Turn off chat history where possible (e.g. ChatGPT → Settings → Data Controls)
  • → Use school-managed accounts (Google Workspace for Education, Microsoft 365) when available
  • → Regularly review what your child has been discussing with AI tools

For children

  • → Use AI tools in shared family spaces, not alone in your bedroom
  • → Never paste homework or essays that contain your name or school details
  • → Understand that some AI conversations may be stored and reviewed by the company
  • → If the AI asks for personal details, close the tab and tell a parent

Parental Control Settings

ChatGPT

  1. Go to Settings → Data Controls → Improve the model for everyone → Off
  2. Consider using 'Custom Instructions' to set age-appropriate tone
  3. Review conversation history periodically

Google Gemini

  1. In Google Family Link, you can restrict Gemini access for under-13 accounts
  2. School accounts managed by Google Workspace have additional restrictions
  3. Teens (13+) need explicit opt-in to use Gemini

Microsoft Copilot

  1. Use Microsoft Family Safety to set screen time and content filters
  2. School accounts via Microsoft 365 Education have moderation built in
  3. Set SafeSearch to Strict in Bing settings

Age-Appropriate AI Tools

ToolMin. AgeSafetyCOPPANotes
Khan Academy / Khanmigo6+HighYesPurpose-built for education. Khanmigo uses AI tutoring with guardrails.
ChatGPT (with Family Controls)13+MediumNoPowerful but requires parental supervision. Set usage rules.
Claude (Anthropic)13+HighNoKnown for being cautious and refusing harmful requests.
Gemini for Google Workspace13+ (school)HighYesUsed through school Google accounts with admin controls.
Canva AI (school plan)13+HighYesCreative AI tools with moderation built in for schools.
Snap My AI13+Low-MediumNoEmbedded in Snapchat. Requires close supervision and conversation.

COPPA = Children's Online Privacy Protection Act compliance (US). Always verify current terms on each platform.

Download the full safety checklist

Resources & Tools →Latest AI News