Tendril

Tendril · Explorers · Ethics & Society

Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less

AI can help you write nicer messages, understand others' feelings, and find good things to say. Kind use of AI makes the internet better.

40 min · Reviewed 2026

The big idea

Some kids use AI to be mean (deepfakes, harassment). The opposite is also true: AI can help you be MORE kind. Better thank-you notes, calmer disagreements, finding the right words for hard moments.

Some examples

Use AI to write a heartfelt thank-you to a teacher who helped you.
Use AI to draft an apology that is real, not defensive.
Use AI to figure out what to say to a friend going through something hard.
Use AI to make a kind comment under a friend's post (then add your real touch).

Try it!

Write a kind note to someone using AI for help. Send it. Notice how it feels.

Don't Use AI to Be Mean

The big idea

AI can write mean messages, fake photos, and copy people's voices. Just because it can doesn't mean we should. Real friends never use AI to embarrass or trick people.

Some examples

Don't ask AI to write a mean note about a classmate.
Never make a fake photo of a friend without permission.
Don't fake someone's voice to fool others.
Ask: 'Would I want this done to me?'

Try it!

Think of one kind way you can use AI this week — like writing a thank-you poem for someone.

What to do when someone pressures you to use AI meanly

Sometimes it won't be your own idea to use AI in a harmful way — someone else will suggest it or dare you to do it. 'Just ask AI to write a mean message about [person]' or 'use AI to make a fake photo of [person].' In those moments, you're being asked to be the person who does the harmful thing, even if the idea wasn't yours. The consequences still follow the person who actually sends the message or posts the image. AI makes harmful content easy to create, but it doesn't make the harm less real. The best response to pressure like this is short and clear: 'No, I don't want to do that.' You don't need to explain yourself or give a big speech. You can also report the suggestion to a trusted adult, because a kid asking others to use AI to harm someone is itself a warning sign worth taking seriously.

If someone asks you to use AI to create something mean, you're the one who faces consequences if you do it
You don't owe anyone an explanation for refusing to use AI harmfully
'No, I don't want to do that' is a complete sentence
Tell a trusted adult if someone is pressuring you or others to create harmful AI content

AI and Mean Words: Why You Shouldn't Use AI to Be Cruel

The big idea

AI can write almost anything — including mean stuff. But mean words hurt real people, no matter who wrote them. Using AI to be cruel is still being cruel.

Some examples

Don't ask AI to write mean messages about classmates.
Don't use AI to make fun of someone's looks.
Use AI to write a kind note instead.
Tell a grown-up if someone uses AI to bully you.

Try it!

Ask AI to write a kind note for someone you know. Send it (or a version of it) to make their day better.

Why 'AI wrote it' is not an excuse

A common mistake kids (and some adults) make is thinking that because AI generated the words, the person who prompted it isn't responsible for the harm. That reasoning doesn't work. When you give AI a prompt asking it to write something mean about a specific person and then you send that message, you made every choice that mattered: you decided to do it, you directed the AI, and you delivered the result. AI is just the tool. The accountability stays with the person holding the tool. Schools, platforms, and parents are increasingly clear on this: using AI to produce harassing or bullying content toward a real person is treated as harassment, full stop. The same applies to fake images — using an AI tool to create a fake photo of a real classmate that's designed to embarrass them is cyberbullying, regardless of whether you drew it yourself or clicked a button.

'AI wrote it' is not a defense — you directed it and delivered it
Prompting AI to create harassing content about a real person is still harassment
AI-generated fake images of real people used to embarrass them is cyberbullying
Tell a trusted adult immediately if someone uses AI to target you

AI and being kind to the AI helper

The big idea

Being polite with AI is good practice for being kind to people.

Some examples

Saying 'please' and 'thank you' helps your habits
Being mean to a chatbot can train mean habits in you
AI does not have feelings — but you do
Practicing kindness anywhere makes you kinder everywhere

Try it!

Next AI question, type 'please' at the start. See how it feels.

End-of-lesson check

15 questions · take it digitally for instant feedback at tendril.neural-forge.io/learn/quiz/end-explorers-ethics-AI-and-being-kind

What is the core idea behind "Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less"?
1. AI can help you write nicer messages, understand others' feelings, and find good things to say. Kind use of AI makes the internet better.
2. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
3. Offer safe-harbor protection
4. Lay out the parent firm's required practices and tools
Which term best describes a foundational idea in "Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less"?
1. empathy
2. kindness
3. good use
4. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
A learner studying Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less would need to understand which concept?
1. kindness
2. good use
3. empathy
4. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
Which of these is directly relevant to Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less?
1. kindness
2. empathy
3. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
4. good use
Which of the following is a key point about Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less?
1. Use AI to write a heartfelt thank-you to a teacher who helped you.
2. Use AI to draft an apology that is real, not defensive.
3. Use AI to figure out what to say to a friend going through something hard.
4. Use AI to make a kind comment under a friend's post (then add your real touch).
Which of these does NOT belong in a discussion of Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less?
1. Use AI to write a heartfelt thank-you to a teacher who helped you.
2. Use AI to draft an apology that is real, not defensive.
3. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
4. Use AI to figure out what to say to a friend going through something hard.
What is the key insight about "The rule" in the context of Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less?
1. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
2. Offer safe-harbor protection
3. AI is a multiplier. It multiplies whatever you put in — kind or unkind. Choose kind. The world has enough mean.
4. Lay out the parent firm's required practices and tools
Which statement accurately describes an aspect of Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less?
1. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
2. Offer safe-harbor protection
3. Lay out the parent firm's required practices and tools
4. Some kids use AI to be mean (deepfakes, harassment). The opposite is also true: AI can help you be MORE kind.
What does working with Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less typically involve?
1. Write a kind note to someone using AI for help. Send it. Notice how it feels.
2. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
3. Offer safe-harbor protection
4. Lay out the parent firm's required practices and tools
Which best describes the scope of "Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less"?
1. It is unrelated to ethics workflows
2. It focuses on AI can help you write nicer messages, understand others' feelings, and find good things to say. Kind
3. It applies only to the opposite professional tier
4. It was deprecated in 2024 and no longer relevant
Which section heading best belongs in a lesson about Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less?
1. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
2. Offer safe-harbor protection
3. Some examples
4. Lay out the parent firm's required practices and tools
Which section heading best belongs in a lesson about Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less?
1. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
2. Offer safe-harbor protection
3. Lay out the parent firm's required practices and tools
4. Try it!
Which of the following is a concept covered in Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less?
1. kindness
2. empathy
3. good use
4. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
Which of the following is a concept covered in Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less?
1. kindness
2. empathy
3. good use
4. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
Which of the following is a concept covered in Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less?
1. kindness
2. empathy
3. good use
4. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task

← Back to interactive lesson

Tendril · Explorers · Ethics & Society

Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less

AI can help you write nicer messages, understand others' feelings, and find good things to say. Kind use of AI makes the internet better.

40 min · Reviewed 2026

The big idea

Some kids use AI to be mean (deepfakes, harassment). The opposite is also true: AI can help you be MORE kind. Better thank-you notes, calmer disagreements, finding the right words for hard moments.

Some examples

Use AI to write a heartfelt thank-you to a teacher who helped you.
Use AI to draft an apology that is real, not defensive.
Use AI to figure out what to say to a friend going through something hard.
Use AI to make a kind comment under a friend's post (then add your real touch).

Try it!

Write a kind note to someone using AI for help. Send it. Notice how it feels.

Don't Use AI to Be Mean

The big idea

AI can write mean messages, fake photos, and copy people's voices. Just because it can doesn't mean we should. Real friends never use AI to embarrass or trick people.

Some examples

Don't ask AI to write a mean note about a classmate.
Never make a fake photo of a friend without permission.
Don't fake someone's voice to fool others.
Ask: 'Would I want this done to me?'

Try it!

Think of one kind way you can use AI this week — like writing a thank-you poem for someone.

What to do when someone pressures you to use AI meanly

If someone asks you to use AI to create something mean, you're the one who faces consequences if you do it
You don't owe anyone an explanation for refusing to use AI harmfully
'No, I don't want to do that' is a complete sentence
Tell a trusted adult if someone is pressuring you or others to create harmful AI content

AI and Mean Words: Why You Shouldn't Use AI to Be Cruel

The big idea

AI can write almost anything — including mean stuff. But mean words hurt real people, no matter who wrote them. Using AI to be cruel is still being cruel.

Some examples

Don't ask AI to write mean messages about classmates.
Don't use AI to make fun of someone's looks.
Use AI to write a kind note instead.
Tell a grown-up if someone uses AI to bully you.

Try it!

Ask AI to write a kind note for someone you know. Send it (or a version of it) to make their day better.

Why 'AI wrote it' is not an excuse

'AI wrote it' is not a defense — you directed it and delivered it
Prompting AI to create harassing content about a real person is still harassment
AI-generated fake images of real people used to embarrass them is cyberbullying
Tell a trusted adult immediately if someone uses AI to target you

AI and being kind to the AI helper

The big idea

Being polite with AI is good practice for being kind to people.

Some examples

Saying 'please' and 'thank you' helps your habits
Being mean to a chatbot can train mean habits in you
AI does not have feelings — but you do
Practicing kindness anywhere makes you kinder everywhere

Try it!

Next AI question, type 'please' at the start. See how it feels.

End-of-lesson check

15 questions · take it digitally for instant feedback at tendril.neural-forge.io/learn/quiz/end-explorers-ethics-AI-and-being-kind

What is the core idea behind "Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less"?
1. AI can help you write nicer messages, understand others' feelings, and find good things to say. Kind use of AI makes the internet better.
2. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
3. Offer safe-harbor protection
4. Lay out the parent firm's required practices and tools
Which term best describes a foundational idea in "Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less"?
1. empathy
2. kindness
3. good use
4. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
A learner studying Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less would need to understand which concept?
1. kindness
2. good use
3. empathy
4. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
Which of these is directly relevant to Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less?
1. kindness
2. empathy
3. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
4. good use
Which of the following is a key point about Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less?
1. Use AI to write a heartfelt thank-you to a teacher who helped you.
2. Use AI to draft an apology that is real, not defensive.
3. Use AI to figure out what to say to a friend going through something hard.
4. Use AI to make a kind comment under a friend's post (then add your real touch).
Which of these does NOT belong in a discussion of Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less?
1. Use AI to write a heartfelt thank-you to a teacher who helped you.
2. Use AI to draft an apology that is real, not defensive.
3. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
4. Use AI to figure out what to say to a friend going through something hard.
What is the key insight about "The rule" in the context of Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less?
1. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
2. Offer safe-harbor protection
3. AI is a multiplier. It multiplies whatever you put in — kind or unkind. Choose kind. The world has enough mean.
4. Lay out the parent firm's required practices and tools
Which statement accurately describes an aspect of Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less?
1. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
2. Offer safe-harbor protection
3. Lay out the parent firm's required practices and tools
4. Some kids use AI to be mean (deepfakes, harassment). The opposite is also true: AI can help you be MORE kind.
What does working with Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less typically involve?
1. Write a kind note to someone using AI for help. Send it. Notice how it feels.
2. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
3. Offer safe-harbor protection
4. Lay out the parent firm's required practices and tools
Which best describes the scope of "Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less"?
1. It is unrelated to ethics workflows
2. It focuses on AI can help you write nicer messages, understand others' feelings, and find good things to say. Kind
3. It applies only to the opposite professional tier
4. It was deprecated in 2024 and no longer relevant
Which section heading best belongs in a lesson about Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less?
1. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
2. Offer safe-harbor protection
3. Some examples
4. Lay out the parent firm's required practices and tools
Which section heading best belongs in a lesson about Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less?
1. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
2. Offer safe-harbor protection
3. Lay out the parent firm's required practices and tools
4. Try it!
Which of the following is a concept covered in Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less?
1. kindness
2. empathy
3. good use
4. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
Which of the following is a concept covered in Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less?
1. kindness
2. empathy
3. good use
4. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task
Which of the following is a concept covered in Use AI to Be More Kind, Not Less?
1. kindness
2. empathy
3. good use
4. Model efficiency: smaller specialist models often beat giant ones per task

← Back to interactive lesson