Family AI rules: simple household rules for using chatbots

In short: A short set of household rules for kids and adults using AI chatbots: keep personal details private, check facts, ask an adult when unsure, and be kind and honest about using AI. Print them, talk them through and stick them on the fridge.

Checked: 18 Oct 2026, prices and features change. · Last updated: 19 Oct 2026

Our family AI rules

Keep our private details private. Never type your full name, address, school, phone number, birthday, passwords or photos of people into a chatbot.
No one else's secrets either. Don't share details about friends, family or classmates.
AI can be wrong. Check important facts with a book, a trusted website or a grown-up.
Ask an adult if you're unsure. If a chatbot says something confusing, scary, rude or asks you to keep a secret, stop and tell an adult.
AI is a helper, not a friend or a doctor. For worries about health, safety or feelings, talk to a real person you trust.
Be honest about using AI. Follow your school's rules, and don't hand in AI-written work as your own.
Be kind. Don't use AI to make mean messages, fake pictures or jokes about real people.
Use AI in shared spaces. Younger kids use chatbots in the living room, with an adult nearby.
Adults follow the rules too. Grown-ups also keep personal details private and check facts before sharing.

Rules for adults setting things up

Check age limits. Many chatbots have minimum ages in their terms. Look at the app's own help pages before letting a child use it.
Use family or child accounts where offered, and check the app's privacy and chat history settings.
Turn off training on your chats if you'd rather your conversations weren't used to improve the AI. See our guide to stopping chatbots training on your chats.
Agree a family safe word for scam calls. See AI voice-clone and deepfake scams.

Talking it through with kids

Try these questions at dinner:

What's one thing a chatbot helped you with this week?
Has it ever got something wrong? How did you find out?
What would you do if it asked for your address?

Check the vendors' own help pages

General information only, not legal advice. Laws and rules differ between countries and regions, so always check what applies where you live, and get professional advice for your situation.

Common questions

What age is OK for kids to use chatbots?

It depends on the app and your child. Check each app's minimum age in its own terms and help pages, and supervise younger children.

Should I read my child's chats?

That's a family decision. Many families start with shared use and open conversations, then give more independence as kids show good habits.

What if my child has already shared personal details?

Don't panic. Delete the chat, check the app's settings for deleting history, and use it as a calm chance to talk about the rules.

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