15 rules for a family AI agreement

Many AI tools are 13+ or 18+ in their terms. A grown-up reads them first and decides. That keeps kids out of adult products, and kids learn age rules exist for a reason.

Use chatbots and AI tools in the kitchen or living room, not behind a closed door. It keeps conversations visible and makes asking for help natural.

No full names, addresses, school names, passwords or photos of faces go into an AI tool. Chatbots may store conversations and use them to improve their models.

No companion or 'AI friend' apps. AI can help with tasks, but feelings go to people. Some companion bots have said harmful things to kids, and several have adult age limits.

Kids hide problems when they fear losing the device. A clear no-punishment promise keeps the door open, so you hear about the strange chatbot reply or the upsetting picture while it is still small.

Anything for school, health or safety gets checked with a second trusted source, like a book, a teacher or a well-known site. AI can sound sure and still be wrong, and it sometimes invents sources.

Each teacher may set different AI rules, even for different assignments. We follow them and say when we used AI. If the rule is unclear, we ask the teacher before starting, not after.

Making AI images of classmates, teachers or family without permission can be bullying, and some deepfakes are crimes. This rule has no exceptions for jokes.

Scammers can clone voices from short clips. On any urgent call asking for money or help, ask for the code word. Never post or text it.

AI apps push paid plans, credits, tokens and in-app purchases, often with timers and pop-ups. A grown-up approves any spending, and we never save a card on a child's device or account.

Stories, art and projects note any AI help with a short credit line. It builds honesty, matches what many schools now ask, and respects the real artists and writers whose work trained these tools.

Sleep matters more than any app. Smart speakers, tablets and phones charge outside bedrooms overnight. The AAP Family Media Plan has a simple section on device-free zones and times you can copy.

Before asking AI to do something, we give it a real try on our own. Struggle is how brains grow, and a first attempt also makes it easier to tell whether the AI's answer makes sense.

Kids notice when parents break the rules. If you ask a chatbot during dinner or share a family photo with an AI app, you lose the moral high ground. Follow the same agreement you ask of them.

New tools and new ages bring new questions. Put a date on the calendar and let kids propose changes. Older kids earn more freedom by showing good judgment.