Top 6 AI tools used by kids

As parents, it’s natural to wonder how artificial intelligence is shaping your kids’ learning experience. From writing aids to math problem solvers, these AI tools are becoming increasingly popular among students of all ages. We’ll break down what these tools do, how they’re being used, and what you should know about them.

Whether you’re tech-savvy or just starting to navigate this new landscape, this overview will help you understand the AI resources your children might be using.

Let’s dive in and discover how these digital assistants are revolutionizing the way students tackle their academic challenges!

1. Snapchat’s My AI

This is the most commonly used AI platform among children, with 51% of 7-17-year-olds using it. It allows users to interact with a conversational AI within the Snapchat app

Parental Considerations:

Content Risks: The AI can provide biased, incorrect, or misleading information, and there are not enough guardrails to prevent exposure to inappropriate content. There is also the risk of children privacy can be at risk as they may be sharing person information while using this chatbot.

Inappropriate advice : An article by the Washington Post highlighted an incident where a child, when asking for advice on how to have an epic birthday party, was given tips on how to mask the smell of alcohol and pot. This example underscores the platform’s inability to consistently provide age-appropriate advice to children using the app.
Monitoring: Parents should monitor interactions and be aware of the potential for harmful conversations.

2. ChatGPT

Developed by OpenAI, ChatGPT is a popular generative AI tool used by children, particularly for schoolwork and creative tasks. It is widely used among teenagers and has become an integral part of their digital interactions .

Parental Considerations:

Misuse: While it can be educational, some students might use it to cheat on assignments.
Content Filters: Although it has NSFW filters, these can sometimes be bypassed.
Supervision: Encourage responsible use and verify the information provided by the AI

3. Machine Learning for Kids

This educational tool introduces children to machine learning by allowing them to build and train models using images, text, numbers, and sounds.

It integrates with platforms like Scratch and App Inventor, making it accessible and engaging for young learners .

Parental Considerations:

Privacy: Ensure that the platform does not collect unnecessary personal information.
Age Appropriateness: Verify that the content is suitable for your child’s age and learning level

4. Character AI

is an online platform that allows users to create and interact with virtual characters powered by advanced artificial intelligence.

These characters can have distinct personalities, interests, and conversational styles, enabling users to engage in realistic and dynamic text-based conversations.

The AI behind these characters uses natural language processing to understand and respond to inputs in a human-like manner, making the experience feel like chatting with a real person.

Parental Considerations:

Inappropriate Content: Some user-created characters may engage in inappropriate conversations despite NSFW filters.
Emotional Dependence: Kids might rely on AI for emotional support rather than real-life relationships
Privacy Concerns: The conversations with AI characters are stored and used to improve the system. Parents should be aware of the privacy settings and the data being collected, especially if personal information is shared during these interactions.

5. Cognimates

A platform for children aged 7 to 10 that allows them to create games, program robots, and develop their own AI models. It focuses on creative programming activities to engage young learners in AI

Parental Considerations:

Privacy and Data: Ensure the platform has strong privacy policies and does not misuse children’s data.
Supervision: Guide children in using the platform responsibly and creatively

6. Schoolhack

SchoolHack is an AI-powered educational tool designed to assist students with their studies.

It’s aimed at helping students of all ages and educational levels with various aspects of their schoolwork.

Some of the key features include :

Answers general queries quickly, saving students research time7
Assists with essay writing7
Includes a plagiarism detection tool

The platform frequently provides detailed explanations for its answers, which is intended to enhance the learning experience rather than simply giving quick solutions.

However, it’s challenging to determine how effectively this feature is used, as many kids might be inclined to skip the explanations and go straight to the answers, thereby missing out on the educational value.

Parental considerations:

Group Creation and Direct Messaging: The app allows users to create groups and send direct messages, which can lead to interactions with strangers or exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, or other unsafe online behaviors.

Link to Discord Server: SchoolHack directly links to a Discord server, encouraging students to join. Discord is not specifically designed for young children and can expose them to unmoderated content and interactions with strangers.

Privacy and Data Security Concerns: With features that involve messaging and community interactions, there is a risk of sharing personal information. Parents should ensure the app complies with child data protection regulations and understand what data is being collected and shared.

Lack of Content Moderation: With user-generated content and chat features, there’s a risk that inappropriate or harmful content may not be adequately moderated, exposing children to unsuitable material.

Potential for Unsupervised Online Interactions: The social aspects of the app can lead to unsupervised online interactions, making it essential for parents to discuss safe online communication practices with their children.