How Your Kids Can Use ChatGPT Safely, According to a Mom
As a mom myself, I have been exploring the ChatGPT AI chatbot and have discovered ways children can use it safely. ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that answers questions users ask of it, using the knowledge it has acquired from both the internet and from human interaction. In this article, I will share some ways a child can use ChatGPT safely and productively.
Using ChatGPT as a Homework Resource
You can ask ChatGPT to help your child write the outline of an essay or other assignments. While it's not right for kids to use ChatGPT to do their homework for them, they can learn to use it as a tool instead of a crutch. ChatGPT's conversational tone makes it both engaging and easy to understand for children -- and if you have younger kids, you can even ask the chatbot to explain the answer in terms a five-year-old can understand.
Here are some ways a child can use ChatGPT as a homework resource:
- Summarize books and articles
- Generate content like essays and letters
- Teach them to write code and debug
- Translate from one language to another
However, there are security and ethical concerns that parents should consider first. The concern that a child might simply copy and paste an AI chatbot's response and try to pass it as their own work is valid -- and this is why supervision is required to ensure they're using ChatGPT as a tool to help them learn something new.
Teaching Your Child to Verify Information
ChatGPT is an AI chatbot that uses GPT-3.5, a large language model that's trained on written text and fine-tuned with human trainers to create human-like responses. While ChatGPT and other AI chatbots are trained on a wealth of information available on the web, this process of knowledge acquisition also exposes ChatGPT to inaccurate information that is available online or that may have been used in training data.
Therefore, it's important to remind your kids that AI chatbots aren't real humans and are incapable of feeling emotions like a person can. ChatGPT is there to answer any of your kids' questions, with infinite patience. However, your kids should view the answers as a starting point and they should verify the information they receive. This process will help teach your child the importance of doing research and understanding which sources are trustworthy.
Playing Games and Having Fun with ChatGPT
AI chatbots can't be all work and no play -- and OpenAI's ChatGPT is no exception. The chatbot is able to have some fun and even play games with you or your kids. Here are some examples:
- Asking for jokes
- Unleashing creativity
- Answering fun questions
Overall, ChatGPT is a groundbreaking AI tool that school-aged children can access and have fun with. However, it's important for parents to supervise their children and teach them how to use ChatGPT safely and productively. With proper guidance, ChatGPT can be an excellent tool for learning and growth.
