AI and Teenagers: A Parent's Guide to Homework, Friends and Feeds

Teenagers are often the first to use new AI tools. A calm, curious approach works better than banning or ignoring them.

• Homework help: explanations, summaries and essay feedback.
• Creativity: art, music and story ideas.
• Chatbots and companions: for conversation and advice.
• Social apps: filters, effects and recommendations.
• Coding and projects.

• Honesty at school: know the school's rules on AI and discuss why learning matters.
• Accuracy: AI can be confidently wrong.
• Privacy: don't share personal details, school information or photos.
• Deepfakes and image abuse: fake or intimate images of classmates are harmful and often illegal. Know how to report them.
• Chatbot relationships: AI is not a friend or therapist, and can encourage unhealthy patterns.
• Scams: cloned voices, fake giveaways and impersonation.
• Mental health: if they're struggling, encourage talking to a trusted adult or professional.

1. Ask them to show you how they use AI.
2. Agree house rules together: when, where and for what.
3. Use age-appropriate settings and parental controls.
4. Encourage them to try the work first, then use AI for feedback.
5. Keep devices out of bedrooms at night.
6. Make it safe to tell you about something upsetting, with no punishment for coming forward.

Secrecy, withdrawal, distress after being online, sleep problems or a drop in schoolwork. Stay calm, listen and seek help if needed.

Save evidence, report to the platform and the school if relevant, and contact the police for threats or intimate-image abuse. Support lines and counselling are available.

Teenagers do best when parents stay interested, set fair boundaries and keep the conversation open.