💬 Chatbots and assistants · 📝 Study and homework tools
Microsoft Copilot
By Microsoft. Visit Microsoft Copilot
Desk research from the maker's own pages. Not yet tried by us. Checked 2026-10-24.
Copilot is Microsoft's chatbot, built into Windows, Edge, Bing and Microsoft 365. Teens 13 and up can use it with a personal Microsoft account for homework help, summaries, stories and images. Microsoft says young users get no personalization, no personalized ads, no model training on their chats, and gentler answers on topics like mental health. Schools can turn on a separate Study and Learn agent for students 13 to 17 that quizzes, makes flashcards and holds back answers.
Our take: A reasonable chatbot for teens on Windows or with a school account; younger children should skip it since the terms set 13 as the floor.
| Ages it suits | 13+ |
|---|---|
| What its terms say about age | At least 13 (higher in some countries) with a Microsoft account; if you're under 18 Microsoft may turn off or limit some features. Study and Learn for ages 13-17 only through a school account the school has set up. (terms) |
| Price | Free, with paid extras. Free with a Microsoft account; more Copilot with Microsoft 365 Personal $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year, Family $12.99 a month or $129.99 a year (Oct 2026) |
| Works on | Web, iPhone and iPad, Android, Windows |
| Account | The child's own account |
| Ads | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes |
| The AI in it | Large language models answer, write, search the web with citations and make images; the school Study and Learn agent coaches with questions instead of answers. |
What's good
- No training on young people's chats
- No personalized ads for young users
- Citations to check sources
- School Study and Learn agent withholds answers
Watch for
- Free version may show ads
- Microsoft's young-people help page applies only to the older app version
- Study and Learn needs a school to turn it on
- Group chats can expose a teen's conversation
Data and privacy
For young people, Microsoft says Copilot does not personalize results, show personalized ads, or use conversations for model training. Free Copilot may include advertising; shared Groups chats can be seen by others. Read the privacy policy.
Does it work?
No independent study of Copilot with children or teens was found. Microsoft describes Study and Learn as grounded in learning science; that is the maker's own claim.
In the Big Index
- On the list 8 kid-friendly AI chatbots and exactly how to set each up
- On the list Parental controls for 12 AI chatbots, step by step
- On the list 12 AI tutors for kids, compared (with each one's age rules)
- On the list 14 AI homework helpers for teens that build understanding
- On the list 11 "kid-safe" AI chatbots and assistants, and what kid-safe really means for each
- The maker in the who's who: Microsoft
Alternatives to Microsoft Copilot
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
ChatGPT
OpenAI · ages 13-17 in the teen experience; adults
Most teens will meet it anyway, so link a parent account and turn on Study Mode; families wanting a tutor that never gives answers should look at a purpose-built one.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Claude
Anthropic · ages 18+ (adults)
A tool for parents and adult students, not for children; families wanting a teen chatbot need one whose terms allow teens.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Curio plush (Grem, Grok, Gabbo)
Curio Interactive · ages about 3-12
One of the more careful AI plush toys on paper, but it is still an open chatbot for small children; suits parents who will read transcripts, while families who want no AI conversations should skip it.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
DIY.org (ChatDino, game builder)
DIY (AstroSafe family) · ages about 8-18 (the maker says 8 to 18)
Suits kids 8 and up who want to make and share games with a parent watching the portal; skip if you want kids learning to code by hand.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Echo Dot Kids (with Alexa+)
Amazon · ages 3-12
Fine for bedtime stories and quick questions if parents check and delete recordings; skip it if a microphone in the bedroom bothers you.
Desk researchPaid
Explore with Alexa
Amazon · ages young kids with an Amazon Kids profile
Fits families already on Echo and Prime who want voice-only curiosity chats; families wary of AI chat or always-on microphones should skip it.
Where these facts come from
- https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/for-individuals/termsofuse
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/microsoft-copilot-young-people
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/education/copilot/role-based-onboarding-study-learn-agent
- https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/buy/compare-all-microsoft-365-products
- Reviews on G2: https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-copilot-2026-08-27/reviews
Prices, terms and features change. Nobody paid to be listed, nothing here is an affiliate link, and Peabody never rates itself. Where we and the maker disagree, the maker's own pages are the ones to trust.