Helping Your Child Use AI Safely and Responsibly
This intervention framework references recognised UK education guidance — including Department for Education (DfE) generative AI guidance for schools, Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) expectations on pupil data, Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) and Ofqual assessment integrity guidance, and Ofsted expectations for safeguarding and curriculum quality. It supports school self-assessment; it is not legal advice and does not imply official endorsement or compliance certification.
Why This Matters
Many children now use AI tools at home for:
- Homework
- Revision
- Research
- Creativity
- Entertainment
AI can provide benefits, but children also need support to use it safely and responsibly.
Parents play a vital role in helping children develop healthy habits.
What Parents Should Know
AI Can Be Wrong
AI may provide:
- Incorrect facts
- Outdated information
- Biased responses
- Confident but inaccurate answers
Encourage children to check information using trusted sources.
AI Is Not A Search Engine
AI generates responses. It does not always provide verified facts. Children should learn to question and verify answers.
AI Should Support Learning
AI works best when it:
- Explains concepts
- Provides examples
- Tests understanding
- Supports revision
AI should not replace
- Thinking
- Problem solving
- Independent effort
Family AI Rules
Consider agreeing simple rules:
Rule 1
Attempt work before using AI.
Rule 2
Check AI answers.
Rule 3
Never submit AI work as your own.
Rule 4
Protect personal information.
Rule 5
Talk about anything that feels concerning.
Protecting Privacy
Children should never share:
Public AI tools do not need these details.
- Full names
- Addresses
- School names
- Phone numbers
- Photos
- Personal information
Talking About AI At Home
Questions you could ask:
- Which AI tools do you use?
- What do you use them for?
- How do you know if the answer is correct?
- Have you ever found AI to be wrong?
- What information should never be shared?
Homework and AI
A useful question is:
Did AI help you think, or did it do the thinking for you?
The aim is to support learning, not replace it.
When To Contact School
Speak to your child's school if you have concerns about:
- AI-generated bullying
- Deepfakes
- Inappropriate content
- Academic honesty
- Privacy and safety
What can I download?
Parent AI Safety one-pager (PDF — add download in editor)
Print for parents' evenings and home-school communication.
Training Available
AI Awareness Day — parent session
Improve Your Benchmark Score
This guide supports:
- Parent AI Awareness
- Home AI Safety
- Child Privacy Awareness
- Parent Confidence
The best protection is regular conversation.
Children do not need parents to be AI experts.
They need interested, informed and supportive adults.
Retake the parent benchmark after applying these principles
Wider Support & Development
For more information, guidance and support — including how AI Awareness Day can help your school — contact the AI Awareness team.