Be Safe Online & With AI

Before joining a new game, downloading an app, starting a chat, clicking an unfamiliar link or using a new AI tool, ask a parent, teacher or another trusted grown-up.

Not every website, app or person online is safe just because it looks friendly or fun.

Simple rule: New app? New person? New link? Ask first.

For parents and educators, this works best when children know who their trusted adults are before something happens.

Children should learn early that some information belongs only to them and the adults who take care of them.

• Your full name with someone you do not know
• Your home address
• Your school or classroom
• Passwords
• Where you are right now
• Private photos
• Family information

Question to teach: "Would I be comfortable showing this to my parent or teacher before I send it?" If the answer is no, stop.

This rule also applies to AI. A chatbot may feel like it is simply answering questions, but children should not type private family, school, health or identifying information into AI tools without adult guidance.

A person online may not really be who they say they are.

A profile picture can be copied. A name can be fake. Pictures, voices and even videos can now be changed or created with AI.

Young children do not need to understand every technology behind this. They only need one simple rule:

Someone you meet only online is still someone you do not know in real life.

Do not move into private chats, share pictures, reveal personal information or follow instructions from someone you only know online without checking with a trusted adult.

AI can tell stories, answer questions, create pictures and help children explore ideas.

But AI does not "know" things the way a teacher, parent or expert does. It can make mistakes, invent facts, misunderstand a question, and create pictures or information that look real even when they are not.

Teach children: AI gives answers. People still need to check them.

For schoolwork or important questions, children should check with a teacher, parent, book or another trusted source. California's guidance for public schools emphasizes learning about AI as well as with AI, including understanding its limitations and using it safely and responsibly.

This may be the most important rule.

Children sometimes hide an online problem because they are afraid they will lose their tablet, game or phone, or because they think an adult will be angry.

Teach them ahead of time: If something online scares you, confuses you, asks you to keep a secret or makes you uncomfortable, you can always tell me.

Even if they clicked something they should not have clicked. Even if they answered someone. Even if they already shared something. Getting help early is much more important than avoiding punishment. NCMEC's online safety education similarly emphasizes age-appropriate skills that help children recognize unsafe interactions, make safer choices and report problems.