Many children and teenagers now use AI chatbots, sometimes more than their parents realize. They use them for homework help, creative projects, curiosity and, increasingly, conversation. Like any powerful tool, AI can support children’s learning or cause problems, and parents play a big role in which it is.
Updated September 2026: we added the current age rules and parental controls for ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini, and links to the psychologists’ advisory and new rules on companion chatbots.
Know the age rules
The major assistants set different minimum ages, and they change, so check the terms of any service your child uses. As of September 2026:
| Service | Minimum age | Parental tools |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | 13, with parental consent for ages 13 to 18 | Linked parent and teen accounts |
| Claude | 18 (or older where local law requires) | Not applicable (adults only) |
| Gemini | Under-13s only with a parent’s permission through Google Family Link | Family Link can turn access on or off |
Google says supervised Gemini accounts include extra content filters for minors, and that Gemini is not available on supervised accounts in the European Economic Area, Switzerland or the UK (Google).
Use the controls available
ChatGPT’s parental controls let a parent link their account to a teen’s and manage quiet hours, memory, voice mode, image generation and whether the teen’s chats are used for model training. Parents can also receive safety notifications in limited situations involving serious concerns.
- Parental controls and family accounts that can limit features, set quiet hours or show usage
- Device-level controls on phones, tablets and computers
- School-provided tools, which may have extra protections and oversight
- Privacy settings to limit data retention and model training, as covered in our privacy guide
Controls help, but they are not a substitute for conversation.
Homework: set clear expectations
Agree on house rules that match school policies:
- AI can explain concepts, quiz, give feedback and suggest ideas
- AI should not do the assignment itself
- Follow each teacher’s rules and be honest about AI use
Many assistants now offer learning or study modes designed to guide students with questions instead of answers. Our students guide has more suggestions.
Talk about how AI works
The American Psychological Association’s 2025 health advisory on AI and adolescents notes that teens are “less likely than adults to question the accuracy and intent of information offered by a bot.” It recommends teaching AI literacy. Children benefit from knowing that:
- AI can sound confident and still be wrong, so important facts need checking. Our guide to spotting AI mistakes shows how.
- It does not have feelings or friendships, even when it sounds warm
- Conversations may be stored by a company
- Images and videos can be faked, as explained in our deepfakes guide
AI companions and emotional use
Some apps are designed as AI friends or companions. The APA advisory calls for “healthy boundaries with simulated human relationships,” and regulators have started to act. In September 2025 the US Federal Trade Commission ordered seven companies, including OpenAI, Meta, Alphabet, Snap, xAI and Character.AI, to explain how they test and monitor companion chatbots for harm to children and teens.
California’s SB 243, in force since January 2026, is one of the first laws aimed at companion chatbots. When an operator knows a user is a minor, it must disclose that the user is talking to AI, remind them to take a break every three hours, take steps to block sexually explicit content, and follow procedures for responding to self-harm, including referrals to crisis services.
Warning signs Watch for secrecy about AI use, withdrawal from friends and family, distress when unable to use an app, or an AI being described as a best friend or the only one who understands. If you are worried about your child’s mental health, talk to them and seek help from a doctor or mental health professional. In the US, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Personal information
Teach children not to share their full name, address, school, photos or other personal details with chatbots, just as with strangers online. The APA advisory also urges developers to protect adolescents’ data and likenesses.
Model good use
Use AI together: plan a family trip, explore a topic they are curious about or check a fact and then verify it. Showing thoughtful use teaches more than rules alone.
What matters most
AI can be a patient tutor and a creative partner for young people. Set age-appropriate rules, use the controls available, keep talking about how these tools work and pay attention to how your child feels about them. Curiosity and openness go further than bans.
Sources
- Is ChatGPT safe for all ages?, OpenAI Help Center
- Parental controls on ChatGPT FAQ, OpenAI Help Center
- Consumer Terms of Service, Anthropic
- Guide your child’s Gemini Apps experience, Google
- Guardrails, education urged to protect adolescent AI users (APA health advisory), ScienceDaily, June 2025
- Health advisory: Artificial intelligence and adolescent well-being, American Psychological Association, June 2025
- FTC Launches Inquiry into AI Chatbots Acting as Companions, Federal Trade Commission, September 2025
- California’s SB 243 mandates companion AI safety and accountability, Jones Walker LLP
