If Something Feels Wrong
Almost every time you use AI, everything will be totally fine. You will ask questions, get helpful answers, have fun, and learn cool stuff. But occasionally — just like anywhere on the internet — something might show up that feels surprising, confusing, or upsetting. Maybe AI said something strange. Maybe a picture appeared that made you uncomfortable. Maybe the words did not seem right. That is okay. There is a simple, friendly plan for exactly that moment. And knowing the plan means you are always ready — never scared.
Your Three-Step Plan
When something feels wrong while using AI, you do three easy things: Step 1: Stop. Do not keep reading or clicking. Just pause what you are doing. Step 2: Close it. Close the tab, the app, or the screen. You do not have to look at it anymore. Step 3: Tell a trusted grown-up. Go find your parent, teacher, guardian, or another trusted adult and tell them what happened. You do not have to explain it perfectly — just say 'something felt weird on the AI and I want to show you.' That is the whole plan. Stop. Close. Tell.
Stop. Close. Tell. Three easy steps. Whenever something feels off with AI, that is your plan. You never have to deal with it alone.
Why is 'Tell' so important? Because when you tell a trusted grown-up, two great things happen. First, you get help understanding what happened. Your grown-up can look at it with you, explain it, and help you feel okay again. Second, the grown-up can report the problem if needed. AI systems get better when problems are reported. By telling, you are actually helping make AI safer for everyone — including other kids! So telling is not just safe. It is kind of heroic.
Flashcards — click each card to reveal the answer
Knowing the Plan Makes You Brave
Here is a secret about being brave: it does not mean nothing ever feels scary. It means you have a plan for when things get tricky. Firefighters are brave not because fires are not dangerous — they are! Firefighters are brave because they have training, equipment, and a team. When something goes wrong, they know exactly what to do. You are the same way. Now that you know Stop, Close, Tell — you have a plan. And having a plan is one of the most powerful feelings in the world. Most of the time you will never need this plan. But knowing it is there makes every time you use AI feel safe and confident.
Try saying 'Stop, Close, Tell' out loud three times right now. The more familiar those words feel, the easier they will be to remember if you ever need them.
What are the three steps of your AI safety plan?
Why does telling a grown-up help make AI better for everyone?
Stop, Close, Tell: Practice Run
- Practice your three-step plan so it feels easy and natural.
- With a trusted grown-up, pretend you are using AI and something feels wrong. Act it out:
- Step 1 — Stop: freeze your hands on the keyboard and say 'I stop.'
- Step 2 — Close: pretend to close a laptop or tab and say 'I close it.'
- Step 3 — Tell: walk to your grown-up and say 'Something felt weird on the AI — can you help me?'
- Do the whole thing three times until it feels smooth and easy.
- Then ask your grown-up: 'Will you always be happy when I come to you with something like this?' (Most grown-ups will say yes — and that is a great thing to know!)