When to Tell a Grown-Up About Something AI Did

If AI ever says something that makes you feel weird, scared, sad, or confused, tell a grown-up you trust. You are not in trouble. They want to know.

Some examples

• AI shows a picture that scares you. Tell a grown-up.
• AI says something mean about a friend. Tell a grown-up.
• AI asks you to share personal info. Tell a grown-up.
• AI says something that does not feel right. Tell a grown-up.

Try it!

Pick the grown-up in your life you would tell. Tell them now: 'You are who I would talk to if anything weird happened with AI.' That makes the path clearer for both of you.

There are TONS of AI apps coming out, and not all of them are safe for kids. Some collect your info, some show grown-up stuff. Before you download or sign up, get a grown-up to check it.

Some examples

• Show your parent the app before downloading.
• Read what the app needs (camera? mic? location?) — does it really need that?
• Ask 'is this app safe for kids my age?'
• Don't make accounts without a grown-up's help.

Try it!

Make a list with a grown-up of which AI apps are OK for you to use.

Most AIs try really hard to be kind, but sometimes they slip up and say something mean, scary, or wrong. That's not your fault. Tell a grown-up — they can report it so the AI gets fixed.

Some examples

• AI says something rude — close it and tell a grown-up
• AI gives scary advice — don't follow it
• AI says something untrue — don't believe it
• Most AIs have a 'report' button for grown-ups

Try it!

Find the 'report' or 'feedback' button on an AI you use (with a grown-up). Now you know where it is if you ever need it.

If AI says something scary or weird, talk to a grown-up right away.

Some examples

• Sometimes AI gives spooky answers by accident
• A grown-up can tell what is real and what is mixed-up
• It is always okay to leave a chat
• You never need to keep a chat secret from parents

Try it!

Pick one trusted grown-up. Tell them: 'If AI ever says something weird, you are who I'd ask.'

If a chatbot feels weird, you can leave — no goodbye needed.

Some examples

• Some AI chats try to keep you talking
• If it asks personal stuff, close it
• You don't owe a bot politeness
• Tell a grown-up about creepy chats

Try it!

Practice saying out loud: 'This feels weird, I'm done.' Use it any time you need.

Here's why "AI and saying no to creepy chatbots" matters: Learning about AI is one of the most important skills you can build for the future! If a chatbot feels weird, you can leave — no goodbye needed — and knowing how to apply this gives you a concrete advantage.

• Learn what "safety" means and why it's important
• Learn what "feelings" means and why it's important
• Learn what "chatbots" means and why it's important

1. 1Find out more about AI and saying no to creepy chatbots by asking an AI a question about it
2. 2Talk to a grown-up about what you learned
3. 3Write down one new thing you learned today

If anything in AI feels off, telling a grown-up is the safe move.

Some examples

• Mean answers? Tell a grown-up
• Scary pictures? Tell a grown-up
• Stranger DMs through AI? Tell a grown-up
• You will never get in trouble for telling

Try it!

Pick your top trusted grown-up. Tell them today: 'You're my AI safety person.'

Here's why "AI and the rule of always tell a grown-up" matters: Learning about AI is one of the most important skills you can build for the future! If anything in AI feels off, telling a grown-up is the safe move — and knowing how to apply this gives you a concrete advantage.

• Learn what "safety" means and why it's important
• Learn what "trusted adults" means and why it's important
• Learn what "rules" means and why it's important

1. 1Find out more about AI and the rule of always tell a grown-up by asking an AI a question about it
2. 2Talk to a grown-up about what you learned
3. 3Write down one new thing you learned today

Grown-ups want to know when AI shows you something scary, mean, or uncomfortable. You do not get in trouble for telling — you get help.

Some examples

• An AI chat that asks for photos of you — tell a parent
• An AI voice that sounds like someone you know asking for money — tell a parent
• An AI character in a game that says creepy things — tell an adult
• Anything that says 'do not tell your parents' — definitely tell your parents

Try it!

Pick three trusted grown-ups. Memorize how to reach each one. That is your AI safety team.

An AI does not really like you. If it is being super sweet and asking lots of personal questions, someone built it to collect your info.

Some examples

• An AI asking your full name, school, or address — stop and tell a grown-up
• An AI saying 'you can tell me anything, I am safe' — that is a sales pitch, not truth
• An AI offering free stuff if you log in or share contacts — almost always a trick
• An AI 'best friend' app asking for photos of you — close it

Try it!

Make a list of three things you would never type into a chatbot, no matter how friendly it sounds.

AI did not go to medical school. It just collects words from the internet. For your body, that is not safe enough.

Some examples

• AI may say a normal bruise is something scary — or a big problem is nothing
• AI does not know your full health story like a doctor does
• AI may give different answers if you ask the same question twice
• A real doctor can actually look at you and decide

Try it!

Make a list of three people in your real life you can talk to about health stuff before you would ever ask AI.