Ages & Stages / Elementary

Elementary: Ages 6 to 10

AI shows up in homework tools, games and videos. Teach two habits now, and they'll stick for years: keep private things private, and check what AI says.

Good habits, like keeping private details private, start early.

The 2-minute version

  • Most chatbots (ChatGPT, Snapchat's My AI, Character.AI) are for ages 13+. Under 13, use kid-specific tools with a parent.
  • Rule #1: never tell a chatbot your name, school, address, photo or password.
  • Rule #2: AI can be wrong. Check with a grown-up or a book.

Why the “AI can be wrong” habit matters

The NSPCC[1] advises encouraging kids to check the sources behind AI summaries and chatbot answers, and to know that online content isn't always real.

Top risks at this age

  • Oversharing. Chatbots can collect sensitive details from conversations, including feelings and interests (Brookings[2]).
  • Believing everything AI says. Generative AI doesn't actually “know” things; it predicts text from its training data (Brookings[3]).
  • AI in games and video apps designed to hold attention as long as possible (Brookings[3]).
  • Age rules being skipped. Many AI tools are 13+ (Internet Matters[4]).

What to say

“Chatbots are like a stranger online. We don't tell them our name, school or where we live.”
“AI can sound sure and still be wrong. Let's check it together.”
“If you ever see something weird or scary, show me. You won't get in trouble.”Making sure kids know they can always go to a trusted adult is a core NSPCC[1] tip.

Do this week

Good ways to use AI for learning

  • Tutors built to guide, not give answers. For example, Khanmigo is designed to help kids find answers themselves and lets parents see chat history (Khan Academy[6]).
  • Turn notes into practice quiz questions or flash cards together (Brookings[7]).
  • Curiosity questions (“why is the sky blue?”), then check the answer together.

References

AI-OK? summarizes these sources in our own words and links to the originals. Short quotes are marked with quotation marks, and some titles are described in [brackets]. All credit for original research and guidance belongs to the authors below.

  1. NSPCC. (2025). Artificial intelligence: safety tips for parents. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/news-opinion/2025/artificial-intelligence-safety-tips-for-parents/. Accessed October 4, 2026.
  2. Brookings Institution. (2026). Where kids' information goes in an AI world. Parent tip sheet 11. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/tips-for-parents-raising-resilient-learners-in-an-ai-world. Accessed October 4, 2026.
  3. Brookings Institution. (2026). What is generative AI and what's at stake for kids? Parent tip sheet. https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Brookings_What-is-AI_Flyer_DIGITAL.pdf. Accessed October 4, 2026.
  4. Internet Matters. A guide to artificial intelligence (AI) for parents. https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/parent-guide-to-artificial-intelligence-ai-tools/. Accessed October 4, 2026.
  5. Wolbert, E. D., Rudy, T. L., & Perkins, D. F. (2026, March 18). AI chatbots and children's digital safety. Penn State Extension. https://extension.psu.edu/ai-chatbots-and-childrens-digital-safety. Accessed October 4, 2026.
  6. Khan Academy. Khanmigo for parents. https://www.khanmigo.ai/parents. Accessed October 4, 2026.
  7. Brookings Institution. (2026). When AI helps learning, and when it gets in the way. Parent tip sheet 12. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/tips-for-parents-raising-resilient-learners-in-an-ai-world. Accessed October 4, 2026.