AI Chatbots and Our Kids and Grandkids

[2:42] – I had no idea what a “chatbot” was, so I asked Grok, “How do kids get involved with chatbots?” Silly me. Grok is a chatbot. In fact, I have already had my “whoa” moment with Grokkie, whose chatty style suckered me into interacting with it as if it were another human on the ‘net. After I caught myself calling it “he”, saying “please” and “thank you” and feeling like I needed to explain why I wanted to know something, I stopped using it for a few days. It is a helpful tool; I used it extensively to put together my Lying Liars blogs. But it is a MACHINE that was programmed by people whose beliefs and agendas may not be compatible with my own. Point being … the information below isn’t just for your kids and grandkids!

Below are the tips and resources Grok pulled up to help us use AI safely and effectively. The graphics are screenshots from the MIT article linked at the bottom.

Safe and Fun Ways for Kids to Get Involved with Chatbots

Chatbots are AI-powered conversational tools. Some examples are Grok and ChatGPT. Kid-friendly versions can spark curiosity, boost creativity, and teach problem-solving, but they can also sometimes give inaccurate info, perpetuate biases, or lead to over-reliance if unsupervised.

Always involve parents or guardians, use age-appropriate platforms, and start with short sessions (10-15 minutes). Aim for educational or playful use, not endless chatting. Below, I’ll outline practical ways kids (roughly ages 8-14) can engage, based on expert-recommended activities from educators and tech organizations.

1. Start with Simple Interactions (Ages 8-10)

• Play Games and Ask Questions: Treat the chatbot like a trivia buddy. Ask for jokes, riddles, or “20 Questions” (e.g., “Guess what animal I’m thinking of”). This builds critical thinking by spotting when the bot gets things wrong. Kid-safe platforms like Grok (on x.com or apps) or Google Bard have built-in games; avoid open-ended “companions” like Character.AI, which recently banned under-18s due to safety risks.
• Storytelling Sessions: Prompt the bot for story starters (e.g., “Write a short adventure about a kid inventor”). Kids can add their own twists, fostering imagination. Tools like AI Dungeon offer moderated versions for this.
• Tip: Sit side-by-side with an adult to discuss responses(e.g., “Why do you think the bot said that?”)

2. Educational Chats for Learning (Ages 10-12)

• Homework Helpers: Use chatbots for brainstorming, not copying answers. Ask “Explain photosynthesis like I’m 10” or “Give me three fun facts about dinosaurs.” This encourages research skills and fact-checking. Apps like SchoolAI let teachers create custom bots for subjects like science experiments or history quizzes.
• Language Practice: Chat in another language (e.g., “Teach me basic Spanish greetings”) or role-play scenarios like ordering food. This simulates real conversations without pressure.
• Reading Buddies: Bots can “discuss” books to build interest—e.g., “What would happen next in this story?” Studies show this boosts situational interest in reading. sciencedirect.com
• Tip: Set rules like “Always check facts with a book or trusted site,” and use platforms with parental controls (e.g., Microsoft Edge’s Bing Chat).

3. Hands-On Creation (Ages 12+)

• Build Your Own Bot: No advanced coding needed! Use free tools like Scratch (from MIT) to make a simple chatbot that answers questions on a topic like space or pets. Tutorials guide kids through “if-then” logic. Platforms like Code.org or Tynker offer drag-and-drop AI projects, like a guessing game bot.
• Real-World Projects: Design a bot for school events (e.g., fundraiser orders) or environmental tips (e.g., “How can I reduce plastic waste?”). This teaches ethics, like considering user needs and AI limits.
• Advanced Fun: Experiment with text-to-speech in Scratch to make talking bots, or join online challenges from sites like Create & Learn.
• Tip: Start small—focus on mechanics first, then add personality. Share creations with family for feedback.

Essential Safety Rules for Parents

• Supervise Always: Monitor chats to avoid sensitive topics; bots can mimic empathy but aren’t therapists.
• Teach Critical Thinking: Discuss biases (e.g., “Why might the bot overlook certain cultures?”) and ethics (don’t use for homework cheating).
• Limit Time & Avoid Companions: Stick to 20-30 minutes/day. Recent laws and bans (e.g., on Character.AI) highlight risks of emotional dependency.
• Privacy First: Use incognito modes or kid accounts; never share personal info.

Recommended Kid-Friendly Platforms

Platform	Best For	Age Range	Safety Notes
Grok (xAI)	Games, questions, creative prompts	10+	Free with quotas; fun, witty responses; parental oversight via apps.
Scratch	Building simple bots	8-14	Free, visual coding; no open internet access.
Code.org	AI challenges & games	8-12	Curriculum-aligned; teacher resources.
Tynker	Coding bots & stories	7-14	Paid tiers, but free trials; filters harmful content.
SchoolAI	Classroom bots	10+	Teacher-monitored; custom prompts.

SOURCES:

• https://iste.org/blog/kids-teaching-kids-with-chatbots
• https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/09/05/1079009/you-need-to-talk-to-your-kid-about-ai-here-are-6-things-you-should-say/