Start with purpose, not permission
Instead of beginning with “AI is allowed” or “AI is banned,” define what it is for. Examples include getting an explanation in different words, practicing a skill, making study questions, checking understanding or brainstorming after the student has already started thinking.
Decide what counts as the student’s own work
School expectations should come first. If an assignment is meant to measure independent work, AI should not create the finished response. A simple family rule is: show your attempt, ask for help with the part you do not understand, and be able to explain the final work yourself.
Set privacy rules children can actually follow
Children need concrete examples. Do not paste passwords, private family information, school login details, home addresses, medical information or another person’s private messages into an AI tool. If a student is unsure whether something is okay to share, the rule can simply be: ask an adult first.
Include a “stop and ask” list
AI can be useful, but it should not become the decision-maker for emergencies, health concerns, threats, serious safety situations or high-stakes personal problems. Those are moments to involve a trusted adult or appropriate professional.
Choose parent oversight that fits the child
Oversight can change with age, maturity and context. A younger child may use AI only with an adult nearby. An older teen may have more independence but still follow clear rules about privacy, school integrity and when to ask for help.
Review the agreement instead of making it permanent
Technology and school rules change. Revisit the agreement after a grading-period change, a new device, a new AI tool, a problem at school or whenever the current rules stop matching real family life.
Build your family’s version
The free Kindos Family AI Agreement Builder turns these decisions into a printable agreement. No account is required. Families can also review the Family Technology Privacy Checklist, the parent guide to AI tutors and the Kindos AI Transparency page.
How Kindos fits
Kindos is designed around parent control, useful-first family technology and privacy-conscious choices. The Kindos Tutor is built to teach and practice rather than simply dump answers, while family tools are intended to help parents set expectations before technology becomes another source of friction.
Frequently asked questions
What should a family AI agreement include?
Include when AI is allowed, school rules, what personal information should not be shared, whether the student must attempt the work first, how answers are checked and when an adult should be involved.
Should children use AI for homework?
That depends on school rules, the assignment and the child. A strong default is to use AI for explanation, practice and feedback rather than to produce work the student is expected to do independently.
How can parents make AI use safer?
Use age-appropriate tools, set clear rules, limit personal information, discuss mistakes and bias, and keep parent oversight appropriate to the child’s age and situation.