Kids love AI—here’s what your brand needs to know

Generative AI can assist kids with homework, storytelling, and answer complex questions, including questions about their lived experience. These tools generate human-like responses and adapt to kids’ input, offering fast, personalized support that feels conversational and accessible.

SEL opportunity
Creative expression supports emotional regulation and self-awareness. When kids create, they externalize thoughts and feelings, which helps them process emotions and build confidence. Imagine a 10-year-old using an AI comic-maker to tell the story of a kid being left out on the playground. Whether it’s about them or a friend, the process helps them express feelings and make sense of what happened.

Potential risks
If kids lean too heavily on AI to generate ideas, they may skip the reflective, messy parts of the creative process. That can limit original thinking and problem-solving skills over time. Our 10-year-old starts accepting the AI’s suggestions for each panel. Instead of exploring their own story, they follow the comic-maker’s lead—missing the chance to reflect on real-life events. And their experience has been hijacked by an algorithm.

Consider this
AI should act as a creative partner, not a replacement. Tools that encourage kids to refine or remix AI outputs—rather than simply accept them—promote agency and deeper engagement.

Generative AI can assist kids with homework, storytelling, and answer complex questions, including questions about their lived experience. These tools generate human-like responses and adapt to kids’ input, offering fast, personalized support that feels conversational and accessible.

SEL opportunity
Generative AI can foster curiosity, support critical thinking, and help kids reflect on their identity, friendships, and challenges. This kind of interaction supports growth across multiple SEL competencies, especially self-management. Imagine a 12-year-old using ChatGPT to explore how to handle a conflict with a friend. They ask how to apologize for words they regret and use the advice to prepare for a real conversation.

Potential risks
Because generative AI sounds confident and resonates like a human being, kids may take its responses at face value (even when the answers are wrong, biased, or incomplete). Over time, this can erode critical thinking, especially if AI becomes a default source for emotional or ethical guidance. Our tween also confides they feel excluded at school. The advice sounds helpful but oversimplifies the situation, leaving them ill-equipped to take meaningful action. They are now less likely to talk to a trusted adult fearing further disappointment.

Consider this
These tools should be designed to support—not replace—kids’ judgment. Prompts that encourage follow-up questions, comparisons with other sources, or conversations with a caregiver can help kids build skepticism, perspective-taking, and communication skills. AI doesn’t need to have all the answers. It just needs to help kids ask better questions.

AI-powered moderation is now standard on online platforms. These systems flag or filter harmful content and monitor conversations. They’re used to keep kids safe from bullying, harassment, and inappropriate content.

SEL opportunity
A well-moderated digital space helps protect emotional wellbeing and encourages respectful interaction. Reducing exposure to hate speech or harmful behavior allows kids to build social awareness and communication skills in safer environments.

Potential risks
AI moderation systems often struggle with nuance. They may censor legitimate expression or fail to catch subtle harm, like coded bullying or exclusion. For kids, that can feel confusing or unfair, especially when the system doesn’t explain why content was removed. They can also be circumvented by users who understand the system’s parameters.

Consider this
Moderation tools should be transparent, contextual, and educational. Brands can explain why content is flagged, offer respectful alternatives, and create space for kids to learn about online boundaries and responsibility.

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AI-driven platforms adapt to a child’s pace, strengths, and preferences—offering personalized instruction that feels tailored and supportive.

SEL opportunity
When kids feel supported, they stay motivated. Personalization can build confidence, reduce frustration, and help kids stay engaged. This can aid a number of competencies. A 7-year-old who struggles with reading uses an AI tool that adjusts text complexity and offers encouraging feedback. They begin to see progress and their confidence in reading and other areas begins to blossom.

Potential risks
When AI tutors replace too much human interaction, kids may lose out on the learning that comes from group work and real-time teacher feedback. Over time, they may avoid challenges, rely on shortcuts, and miss chances to build persistence or deeper comprehension. That same 7-year-old begins relying on the tool to read tricky words aloud. It keeps them moving but without encouraging them to try on their own, progress stalls.

Consider this
AI tools should support, instead of skipping, the hard parts of learning. Built-in scaffolding, reflection prompts, and space for real-world input from teachers or caregivers can help kids build both confidence, competence, and human connection.

AI-powered tools can guide kids through mindfulness exercises, help them manage anxiety, and offer emotional support in a digital format

SEL opportunity
These tools can promote self-awareness and emotional regulation by giving kids strategies to name, process, and manage feelings. An anxious middle schooler uses a chatbot to talk through their worries before bed. The bot suggests exercises that help the child name their worries, which helps them feel more in control.

Potential risks
AI can’t truly understand emotions or offer the nuance that real relationships provide. If kids turn to AI instead of trusted adults, they may miss out on the empathy and support they really need. The child starts using the app daily but never mentions their feelings to a caregiver. They feel understood but important concerns go unnoticed and spiral.

Consider this
AI should always point kids back to real-world support. Tools can be designed to normalize reaching out to adults, offer prompts to talk to a parent or teacher, and reinforce that emotional wellbeing depends on human connection.