Sometimes AI says or shows weird, scary, or wrong stuff. Telling a trusted grown-up is the right move — always.
40 min · Reviewed 2026
The big idea
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.
Always Show a Grown-Up Before Trying a New AI App
The big idea
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.
AI and when AI says something mean by accident
The big idea
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.
AI and asking grown-ups about scary stuff
The big idea
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.'
AI and saying no to creepy chatbots
The big idea
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
Find out more about AI and saying no to creepy chatbots by asking an AI a question about it
Talk to a grown-up about what you learned
Write down one new thing you learned today
AI and the rule of always tell a grown-up
The big idea
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
Find out more about AI and the rule of always tell a grown-up by asking an AI a question about it
Talk to a grown-up about what you learned
Write down one new thing you learned today
When Something With AI Feels Off — Who to Tell
The big idea
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.
When an AI Online Acts Too Friendly
The big idea
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.
Should You Ask AI Medical Questions?
The big idea
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.
End-of-lesson check
15 questions · take it digitally for instant feedback at tendril.neural-forge.io/learn/quiz/end-explorers-ethics-when-to-tell-a-grown-up
What is the core idea behind "When to Tell a Grown-Up About Something AI Did"?
Sometimes AI says or shows weird, scary, or wrong stuff. Telling a trusted grown-up is the right move — always.
data exfiltration
weird
Detect every harm at any scale
Which term best describes a foundational idea in "When to Tell a Grown-Up About Something AI Did"?
trusted adult
safety
weird content
speaking up
A learner studying When to Tell a Grown-Up About Something AI Did would need to understand which concept?
safety
weird content
trusted adult
speaking up
Which of these is directly relevant to When to Tell a Grown-Up About Something AI Did?
safety
trusted adult
speaking up
weird content
Which of the following is a key point about When to Tell a Grown-Up About Something AI Did?
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.
Which of these does NOT belong in a discussion of When to Tell a Grown-Up About Something AI Did?
data exfiltration
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.
What is the key insight about "The rule" in the context of When to Tell a Grown-Up About Something AI Did?
data exfiltration
weird
If something feels off about an AI conversation, you can stop, close the app, and tell a grown-up.
Detect every harm at any scale
Which statement accurately describes an aspect of When to Tell a Grown-Up About Something AI Did?
data exfiltration
weird
Detect every harm at any scale
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.
What does working with When to Tell a Grown-Up About Something AI Did typically involve?
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.
data exfiltration
weird
Detect every harm at any scale
Which best describes the scope of "When to Tell a Grown-Up About Something AI Did"?
It is unrelated to ethics workflows
It focuses on Sometimes AI says or shows weird, scary, or wrong stuff. Telling a trusted grown-up is the right mov
It applies only to the opposite professional tier
It was deprecated in 2024 and no longer relevant
Which section heading best belongs in a lesson about When to Tell a Grown-Up About Something AI Did?
data exfiltration
weird
Some examples
Detect every harm at any scale
Which section heading best belongs in a lesson about When to Tell a Grown-Up About Something AI Did?
data exfiltration
weird
Detect every harm at any scale
Try it!
Which of the following is a concept covered in When to Tell a Grown-Up About Something AI Did?
safety
trusted adult
weird content
speaking up
Which of the following is a concept covered in When to Tell a Grown-Up About Something AI Did?
safety
trusted adult
weird content
speaking up
Which of the following is a concept covered in When to Tell a Grown-Up About Something AI Did?
