The newest wave of AI isn’t just powering apps—it’s shaping how kids learn, play and talk online. From image generators to chat companions, these tools are showing up in places children already spend time. But there’s a catch: most of them weren’t built with kids in mind. And when tools meant for adults end up in children’s hands, the risk isn’t just in what the AI says—it’s in how it’s designed to behave. If your child is curious about AI, here are four red flags to help you decide whether a product deserves their attention.
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Red Flag 1: It wasn’t built for kids
If an AI product doesn’t clearly say it’s designed for children, assume it’s not. Most mainstream tools are built for adults or a general audience. That means they often skip key protections like age-appropriate content filters, parental controls and safe data practices.
Some AI tools even simulate human-like friendship, which can be especially tricky for kids who may not realize they’re interacting with a machine. When something sounds friendly, encouraging or emotionally responsive, children are more likely to trust it, even when it’s giving bad advice.
What to look for instead: Tools that are COPPA-compliant, explicitly designed for under-13 users and include strong moderation features.
Red Flag 2: There’s no input filtering
A lot of AI safety talk focuses on output, what the tool says back. But that’s only half the story. It’s just as important to know what kids can type in or ask. If a tool allows totally open-ended prompts, there’s no way to guarantee the responses will be safe.
Why it matters: even with guardrails, large AI models can generate scary, weird or inappropriate results if given the wrong kind of prompt. Input filtering is one of the best ways to reduce those risks.
What to look for instead: Tools that block sensitive or unsafe prompts before the AI responds.
Red Flag 3: They collect data indiscriminately
Most AI platforms collect and store user interactions, and that includes what your child types or says. Some companies even use those interactions to train their models, which means your child’s data could end up in someone else’s experience down the line. If the privacy policy is full of jargon, hard to locate, or doesn’t mention children at all, that’s a major red flag.
What to look for instead: Clear policies that commit to not collecting data from children, and tools that avoid using user data for training, targeting or ads.
Red Flag 4: You can’t see what your child is doing
If a platform doesn’t offer parental oversight, like conversation history, activity summaries or usage notifications, it creates a blind spot. You won’t know what your child asked, what the AI said back or whether there were any red flags worth following up on. This is especially important for tools with chat features or simulated companions. When conversations happen behind a black box, it’s harder to catch misinformation, manipulation or emotional confusion.
What to look for instead: Activity logs, co-use features or platforms that let you explore together and keep the conversation going offline.
The bottom line
AI isn’t all bad, but it’s not all good, either. And when it comes to our kids, we need more than hype and headlines. We need tools that are transparent, age-appropriate and built with families in mind.
If you’re not sure who a product was made for, how it works or what happens to your child’s data—that’s your sign to pause. Ask questions, explore together, and stay curious. Because your guidance is still the best safety feature they’ve got.
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