AI and Keeping Secrets Safe

When you type something to AI, it might be saved on a computer far away. Other people might see it. So treat AI like a stranger at the grocery store — friendly, but not someone you tell your address, password, or family secrets to.

Some examples

• Don't type your home address into a chatbot.
• Don't share your passwords with AI — ever.
• Don't tell AI your full real name plus your school.
• Don't share photos of yourself or your family with AI.

Try it!

Make a list of three things you'd never tell a stranger. Pinky promise yourself you won't type those into AI either.

Practice this safely

Try this with a low-stakes example and a trusted adult nearby. The goal is to notice how AI talks about private, not to let it make the decision for you.

1. 1Ask AI to explain private in plain language, then underline anything that sounds uncertain or too broad.
2. 2Give it one detail from "AI and Keeping Secrets Safe" and ask for two possible next steps plus one reason each step might be wrong.
3. 3Check safe against a trusted source, teacher, adult, expert, or original document before you use it.