Online AI Safety
A complete guide for children, teens, and adults.
Artificial intelligence is part of everyday life, from chatbots and virtual assistants to content generators, games, and social media recommendations. These tools can be useful, but they also create risks involving privacy, misinformation, scams, and inappropriate content. Use this guide to build safer and more responsible AI habits at every age.
Eight Essential AI Safety Topics
Personal Information & Privacy
Protect your identity and personal information when using AI tools.
Children
- Never share your address, school, passwords, or private photos.
- Ask a trusted adult before using a new AI app.
Teens
- Limit what you share publicly.
- Review privacy settings and app permissions.
Adults
- Use strong, unique passwords and two-factor authentication.
- Review data collection and chat history settings.
Safe Communication With AI
AI can sound confident and human, but it can misunderstand questions or provide incorrect advice.
Children
- Remember that an AI chatbot is a computer tool, not a human friend.
- Talk to a trusted adult when a response feels confusing or upsetting.
Teens
- Think carefully before following AI-generated personal advice.
- Check important information with reliable people and sources.
Adults
- Do not treat AI responses as automatically accurate.
- Verify important claims before acting on them.
Content Safety
AI can produce misleading, violent, disturbing, or age-inappropriate content.
Children
- Use age-appropriate services and parental controls.
- Tell an adult if you encounter disturbing content.
Teens
- Avoid sharing or forwarding harmful content.
- Report inappropriate material on the platform.
Adults
- Check images, audio, and video for possible manipulation.
- Confirm claims before sharing them with others.
Cybersecurity
AI accounts, connected apps, and personal devices can be targets for phishing, fraud, and unauthorized access.
Children
- Ask a parent or guardian before installing apps or opening suspicious links.
- Never share account passwords.
Teens
- Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
- Avoid unknown downloads and suspicious messages.
Adults
- Keep devices, browsers, and apps updated.
- Check links and verify unexpected requests for money or information.
AI in Social Media & Games
AI influences recommendations, advertisements, moderation, game interactions, and personalized feeds.
Children
- Use age-appropriate games and apps.
- Ask permission before making purchases or sharing information.
Teens
- Be cautious with strangers, AI characters, and online requests.
- Report impersonation, harassment, and suspicious accounts.
Adults
- Recognize that recommendations may shape what you see.
- Watch for impersonation, deepfakes, and online scams.
Critical Thinking & Verification
AI can make mistakes, invent sources, and present outdated information as fact.
Children
- Ask a trusted adult to help check surprising claims.
- Compare answers with reliable learning resources.
Teens
- Check facts before using AI for schoolwork or sharing news.
- Look for original sources and supporting evidence.
Adults
- Verify important medical, legal, financial, and professional information independently.
- Check dates, context, and the credibility of sources.
Ethical & Responsible AI Use
Use AI in ways that respect other people, protect privacy, and avoid deception or harm.
Children
- Be kind and respectful when using AI tools.
- Ask for help if you are unsure whether something is appropriate.
Teens
- Be transparent about AI assistance when required.
- Do not use AI to bully, impersonate, or mislead others.
Adults
- Consider fairness, consent, privacy, and potential bias.
- Take responsibility for decisions made with AI assistance.
Stay Informed
AI tools and online risks evolve quickly. Keep learning and review your safety practices regularly.
Children
- Learn online safety rules with a parent, guardian, or teacher.
- Review safety settings as apps change.
Teens
- Follow reliable digital safety and technology education resources.
- Learn to recognize emerging scams and manipulated media.
Adults
- Follow credible AI safety research and cybersecurity guidance.
- Review privacy policies and account settings periodically.
Quick AI Safety Checklist
- Never enter passwords, financial details, or highly sensitive personal information into an AI tool unless you have a clear, trusted reason and understand how it will be handled.
- Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication where available.
- Verify important AI-generated claims using trustworthy, independent sources.
- Be alert to fake voices, images, videos, messages, and impersonation attempts.
- Use age-appropriate tools and parental controls for children.
- Report suspicious, abusive, or harmful activity through the appropriate platform or authority.