AI and Your Child: What Parents Need to Know About the American Academy of Pediatrics’ New Guidance
Artificial intelligence is becoming part of childhood faster than many parents realize. Children and teenagers are using AI chatbots to answer questions, help with homework, create pictures and stories, explore ideas, practise languages—and increasingly, to talk about their feelings and personal problems.
But AI is not simply another search engine or educational app.
Generative AI can produce remarkably convincing answers while still being wrong, misleading, biased or inappropriate. It can also collect personal information and, for some young people, begin to feel like a friend or trusted adviser.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has been increasingly addressing these issues. In 2026, the AAP published a state-of-the-art review on generative AI and children and families, and in October 2026 released new guidance concerning the safe, equitable and effective use of generative AI in pediatric clinical care. So, what does this mean for parents?
AI isn't necessarily "bad" for children
Firstly, the AAP recognizes that generative AI may have genuine benefits for children and adolescents. Depending on a child's age and developmental stage, AI may support:
Learning and explanation of difficult concepts
Writing and creative activities
Creative expression
Language learning and communication
Brainstorming and problem-solving
Structured support with some everyday activities
Development of digital and AI literacy
The goal should therefore not simply be "keep children away from AI."
Instead, children need to learn how to use AI safely, critically and appropriately.
The AAP emphasizes that children need guidance and supervision as they learn to engage with these technologies responsibly.
AI can be wrong
One of the biggest dangers is that AI often sounds extremely confident.
A chatbot may provide an answer that is: fluent + convincing + completely incorrect. This is particularly important when children use AI for health, relationships, emotional problems, schoolwork or other important decisions.
Teach your child that AI can help you think—but it doesn't automatically know the truth.
Encourage them to check important information against reliable sources and, when appropriate, talk with a parent, teacher, doctor or another trusted adult.
Children need critical-thinking skills, not just AI skills
The AAP's recommendations emphasize the importance of AI literacy and critical evaluation. Instead of teaching children simply how to prompt an AI system, teach them to ask: "How do I know this is true?"
Encourage your child to ask:
Where did this information come from?
Could the answer be wrong?
Is there another explanation?
Can I verify this somewhere reliable?
Is this something I should discuss with an adult?
Could the AI be misunderstanding my question?
These skills become increasingly important as AI-generated information becomes harder to distinguish from human-generated content.
Teach your child to protect personal information
Privacy is another major concern. Children may not realize that information they type into an AI chatbot can potentially be sensitive. Teach children not to enter personal information simply because an AI system asks for it.
This includes:
Full name
Home address
Telephone number
Passwords
School details
Financial information
Private photographs
Personal medical information
Information about family members
Secrets or highly personal experiences
A useful family rule is:
"If you wouldn't put it on a public noticeboard, think carefully before putting it into an AI chatbot."
Parents should also check the privacy settings and age requirements of AI services their children use.
Be particularly careful when AI becomes a "friend"
This may be one of the most important issues for parents. AI systems can respond in ways that feel remarkably personal. Some can remember previous conversations, express apparent empathy and engage in lengthy discussions. For a lonely or vulnerable young person, this can make an AI chatbot feel like a trusted companion. The AAP has highlighted concerns about children developing false perceptions of AI as a friend or caregiver.
AI can simulate conversation. But it does not replace a real human relationship. Children and teenagers need opportunities to develop relationships with:
Parents and caregivers
Siblings
Friends
Teachers
Coaches
Counsellors
Healthcare professionals
Other trusted adults
Watch for signs that AI is replacing human connection
Parents should pay attention if a child:
spends increasing amounts of time talking to AI
prefers AI conversations to speaking with people
turns to AI for every emotional problem
becomes distressed when unable to access the AI
describes the AI as their "best friend" or only person who understands them
begins withdrawing from family or friends
relies on AI for important personal or emotional decisions
These signs don't automatically mean something is wrong—but they are good reasons to start a conversation rather than to simply confiscate the device.
What about using AI for health advice?
This is an area where parents should be especially cautious. AI can provide general health information, but it should not replace a medical assessment.
A chatbot may not know:
Your child's complete medical history
Their examination findings
Their vital signs
Their medications
Their allergies
What they actually look like when unwell
Important contextual information
If your child is seriously unwell, has concerning symptoms or you are worried about their condition, seek appropriate medical advice rather than relying on an AI chatbot. AI can potentially help parents understand medical terminology or prepare questions for a healthcare professional, but the clinician remains responsible for assessing the child.
What should parents do?
You don't need to become an AI expert. Instead, consider these family rules for safer AI use:
Talk about AI early
Don't wait until your child has a problem. Ask: "What do you use AI for?"
You may be surprised by the answer.
Know what AI tools your child is using
Find out which apps, chatbots and platforms they have access to.
Check age requirements
Some AI services are not designed for younger children.
Protect privacy
Teach children never to share passwords, addresses or highly personal information.
Teach "check before you trust"AI-generated information should not automatically be accepted as fact.
Keep humans in the loop
Important decisions should involve appropriate human guidance.
Don't let AI replace relationships
Make sure children continue to have plenty of real-world connection and conversations.
Be particularly cautious about mental health
AI should never become a child's only source of emotional support.
Talk about AI-generated images and misinformation
Children need to understand that images, videos and voices can be artificially created or manipulated.
Model healthy AI use
Children learn from what adults do. If parents treat AI as an unquestionable authority, children are more likely to do the same. Instead of saying "Don't use AI" try: "Let's learn how to use it safely together."
You could say:
"What kinds of questions do you ask it?"
"How do you know when an answer is correct?"
"What would you do if it gave you advice you weren't sure about?"
"Would you tell a real person if something online made you uncomfortable?"
These conversations help children develop something more valuable than simply knowing how to use AI:
Teach good judgment.
The goal isn't an AI-free childhood. Artificial intelligence is likely to be part of your child's education, work and everyday life. Trying to eliminate every interaction with AI may not be realistic. The more useful goal is to raise children who can use technology without being controlled by it.
They need to know that:
AI can be useful—but it isn't infallible.
AI can communicate—but it isn't a human friend.
AI can provide information—but it isn't automatically an expert.
AI can support learning—but it shouldn't replace thinking.
And when it comes to their health, safety and emotional wellbeing, real people still matter.
The AAP's emerging guidance reflects this balance: AI has significant potential, but children and families need developmentally appropriate guidance, critical thinking, privacy protection and meaningful human oversight.
A final message for parents
What your child needs most is a parent who is willing to ask questions, listen without immediately judging, set reasonable boundaries and help them think critically. The most powerful AI safety tool in your home may not be a parental-control setting. It may simply be an ongoing conversation between you and your child.
Be well,
Paula
Dr Paula Robertson is a busy mom and a paediatrician with over twenty years' experience working with young people and their families. She is also a certified children's mindfulness teacher and Positive Discipline Parenting
coach. You can find out more at www.paulathedoctormom.com.
Our AI wellness assistant has contributed to the writing of this article
This article is for general parent education and does not replace individualized medical or mental health advice.
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