Making Rules for Family AI Use
As AI blends into daily life, kids touch it too. "Let them use it correctly" is more realistic than "don't let them use it." Here's how to make family rules.
Engagement by Child Age
Preschool (~6 yrs)
- Use together beside a parent (no solo child use)
- Make original picture-book stories and read aloud
- Respond to curiosity like "why is the sky blue?"
- Voice conversation mode is fun
Elementary (7-12 yrs)
- On a parent's account, while watching over
- Homework: not "ask the answer" but "be taught the thinking"
- Creation: drawing, stories, lyrics
- Lookups: "what is XX?"
- Time cap (e.g., 30 min/day)
Junior High (13-15 yrs)
- Per major AIs' terms, own account from age 13 (guardian consent recommended)
- As a study companion: English-composition correction, math explanation
- Career/future-worry sparring
- Same family rules as social/internet use
High School (16+ yrs)
- Centered on the person's autonomous use
- University-exam prep, career research
- Just confirm "don't over-depend"
- Education on confidential info/passwords
5 Rules to Decide as a Family
1. Decide Which AI
Narrow to 1-2 as a family. Avoid mixed accounts.
2. Info OK / Not OK to Input
- OK: study questions, picture-book creation, English practice
- NG: address, phone, school name, family real names
3. Time of Use
- Don't use during meals/before bed
- Up to N min/day (adjust by school age)
- Change use before tests (study aid, not answer-extraction)
4. Don't Over-Trust
- Always teach that AI errs
- Re-confirm important info with books/textbooks/teachers
5. Consult a Parent When Troubled
- When a creepy question comes
- When feeling sad/scared
- When seeing a strange ad/link
Usage Examples
Homework Support (Elementary)
Parent: Taro, the promise is to ask AI for "thinking hints," not "the answer." Child: AI, just give me a hint for this problem, don't say the answer. AI: Sure. First, underline the part "find what" in the problem text. What is it?...
Picture-Book Creation (Preschool)
Parent: Make a picture-book-style "cat goes on an adventure" story. Protagonist's name is "Mee-ko," about 4 pages. AI: 1. Mee-ko was looking outside from the house window... ... Parent: Now let's read it together.
Tips for Adjusting for Kids
- Tell AI "so a 3rd-grader understands"
- Parent supplements hard words
- Consider kid-oriented Custom GPT (Khan Academy AI, etc.)
Things to Avoid
- Solo long use by a child (AI dependence)
- As an emotional crutch (don't make it a friend substitute)
- Inputting personal info
- Generating inappropriate content (prompt injection, etc.)
Using It as a Couple/Partner
- Budget management: Money Forward × AI
- Parenting advice: dug into in the separate "parenting" chapter
- Trip plans: ask an agent
- Anniversaries: gift candidates, surprise ideas
Next Step
Once family basic rules are set, learning the convenience features "voice input/read-aloud" widens use during chores/driving too.
