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Why this is right for ages 4–7
Children at this age learn best through short, concrete examples and trusted routines. They may treat a friendly or confident voice as if it understands or knows more than it does. The adult remains the safety anchor: explain simply, use AI together and focus on what to do next.
How AI may show up at this age
- Seeing a parent or teacher use ChatGPT or another chatbot
- Using a school-approved story, drawing or learning tool
- Seeing AI-generated pictures, video or voices online
- Encountering AI features inside games, apps or search
- Asking questions together with an adult
Six simple messages to repeat
- AI is a tool people made. It is not a person and it is not in charge.
- AI can sound sure and still be wrong.
- AI can use kind words, but it does not understand your feelings.
- Do not share names, schools, addresses, secrets, photos or other private information.
- Do not put a real person’s face, photo, voice or name into an AI tool without permission from them and their grown-up.
- If something is scary or strange: stop, do not share it, and tell a grown-up.
Simple family rules for AI
- Use AI together or with a trusted adult nearby.
- Keep personal information and secrets out of the tool.
- Use made-up characters rather than real people.
- Ask a grown-up about bodies, danger, secrets or other big questions.
- Stop and tell an adult if anything feels scary, confusing or upsetting.
Conversation starters to try
Conversation starter: What is AI?
When to use: When your child sees an adult using ChatGPT, an image tool or another AI feature.
Try saying: “AI is a computer tool that people made. It can make words, pictures or sounds, but it is not a person and it does not know everything. We can use it for fun ideas, and we ask a grown-up about anything important.”
Follow-up: “What do you think the tool is doing?”
Conversation starter: AI does not understand feelings
When to use: When your child says an AI tool understands them or turns to it when they are upset.
Try saying: “AI can use kind words, but it does not understand what you feel inside. It does not know when you are scared, sad or confused. A real person can listen, care and help.”
Follow-up: “Who is a real person you can talk to when you have a big feeling?”
Conversation starter: Pictures, videos and voices can be made by AI
When to use: When something online looks or sounds real, strange, perfect or scary.
Try saying: “AI can make a picture, video or voice that looks or sounds real even when it never happened. If something feels strange or scary, show a grown-up before believing or sharing it.”
Follow-up: “What could we check together?”
Listen for
These phrases can point to a belief worth gently exploring together — not an emergency.
- “It knows everything.”
- “It can see me or knows what I am thinking.”
- “It understands me better than people.”
- “It looks real, so it must be true.”
- “They will never know I used their photo.”
- Worry about making the AI sad or angry.
Red flags that need closer attention
- Ongoing fear, nightmares or a belief that AI is watching or coming for them
- Repeatedly choosing AI over people, play or normal routines
- Secretive use or exposure to sexual, violent or other distressing material
- Sharing personal details, photos or information about other children
- A stranger or online contact asking for private information, photos or secrecy
What to do: Stay calm, reassure your child and reach out for support if the concern involves harmful content, contact from another person or persistent distress.
Before posting your child’s photo
A note for parents. Ask whether they are comfortable with it when they are old enough to express a view. Avoid visible school names, regular locations and routines, review who can see the image and consider sharing privately. An ordinary photo can be copied or altered by someone else. That is never the child’s fault.
Related trusted resources
- eSafety: Privacy and your child — practical advice on sharing children’s photos, videos and personal information.
- eSafety Kids: Sharing photos and personal information online — child-friendly privacy guidance.
- eSafety: Generative AI position statement — a plain-language overview of text, image, audio and video generation.
Check the age requirements and safety settings before your child uses any AI tool. General-purpose tools may not be designed for children under 13. Explore together or use an age-appropriate, school-approved service.
Last reviewed: July 2026.