Ask a Grown-Up
Imagine you are hiking with your family and you come to a fork in the trail. One path looks clear and familiar. The other looks overgrown and has a big sign you cannot quite read. What do you do? You ask a grown-up! They have more experience. They can read the sign. They can help you pick the right path. That same idea works perfectly when you use AI.
Who Is a Trusted Grown-Up?
A trusted grown-up is a safe adult in your life who cares about you and wants to help. Trusted grown-ups might be your parent or guardian, a grandparent, your teacher, a school counselor, or an older sibling who your family trusts. These are the people you go to when something feels confusing, strange, or a little bit off. They have seen more of the world than you have, and their job is to help you navigate it safely. With AI, they are your guides — especially at first.
A trusted grown-up is a safe adult who cares about you. When using AI, they are your partner — someone you can check in with whenever you have a question or something feels wrong.
Here are some times when you should definitely ask a trusted grown-up: When you want to start using a new AI app or website for the first time. When AI says something that feels strange, wrong, or upsetting. When AI shows you something you did not expect. When you are not sure if it is okay to answer a question AI is asking. When something just does not feel right, even if you cannot explain why. You do not need to figure everything out by yourself. Asking for help is one of the smartest things you can do!
Flashcards — click each card to reveal the answer
Checking In Is a Superpower
Some kids worry that asking a grown-up means they will get in trouble. But that is almost never true! Most trusted grown-ups are glad when a child checks in. It shows the child is thinking carefully. It means they care about doing things right. Think about a pilot on an airplane. Even the most experienced pilot checks in with air traffic control before landing. Checking in is not a sign you are doing something wrong. It is a sign you are taking your responsibility seriously. That is exactly what you are doing when you ask a trusted grown-up about AI.
It helps to have a simple phrase ready. Try: 'Hey, can I show you something the AI said?' or 'Is it okay if I use this app?' Short and easy — and it opens the door to a great conversation.
When is a good time to ask a trusted grown-up about AI?
Why is asking a grown-up for help a smart thing to do?
My Trusted Grown-Up Map
- On a piece of paper, draw yourself in the center of the page.
- Around yourself, draw or write the names of three to five trusted grown-ups in your life. These are the adults you could go to if something felt wrong with AI.
- Draw a line from yourself to each grown-up.
- Next to each line, write one thing that makes that person a trusted grown-up in your life — for example 'always listens' or 'knows about computers' or 'makes me feel safe.'
- Keep this map somewhere you can see it. Next time you have a question about AI, pick one of those people to ask!