Ask HN: Do you let your kids use ChatGPT?
Should I let my 10-year-old use chatgpt? why or why not?
14 comments
According to the OpenAI terms of use, no.
> Minimum age. You must be at least 13 years old or the minimum age required in your country to consent to use the Services.
> Minimum age. You must be at least 13 years old or the minimum age required in your country to consent to use the Services.
upvoting for reading terms of service!!!!
If I ever have to have kids i would let them use things like ChatGPT when they are teenager I wouldn't trust an elementary schooler to use it the probably cant even understand it but I could see no problem letting a teenager using it... by teenager I consider around late 7th early 8th grade, I don't know any other country grade layout I'm referring to American grades (sry for any weird Grammer I'm not to well on that)
> Should I let my 10-year-old use chatgpt
This is the dilemma I am facing at the moment.
ChatGPT is similar to calculator, you get answers fast, but your brain misses the training step to get better at calculations.
With calculator you are missing only one dimension/parameter of learning -> calculating things in your brain
With ChatGPT kids might lose training many other parameters -> thinking, seeking the knowledge, reasoning about cause and effect, coming up with possible next steps and so on.
This is the dilemma I am facing at the moment.
ChatGPT is similar to calculator, you get answers fast, but your brain misses the training step to get better at calculations.
With calculator you are missing only one dimension/parameter of learning -> calculating things in your brain
With ChatGPT kids might lose training many other parameters -> thinking, seeking the knowledge, reasoning about cause and effect, coming up with possible next steps and so on.
I wouldn’t recommend it at that age. ChatGPT can sound confident even when it’s wrong, and kids might take answers at face value without questioning them.
It’s also easy to get distracted or rely on it too much instead of developing real problem-solving skills. Better to wait until they’re a bit older and can use it critically with proper context.
It’s also easy to get distracted or rely on it too much instead of developing real problem-solving skills. Better to wait until they’re a bit older and can use it critically with proper context.
How's that different then "should I let my kid use a calculator" ? I think you should teach them the trade offs. Now.. 10y old might be too young for the internet in general and some concepts that come with it. I don't think I got to a scientific calculator until I was 15
Cause a calculator won't lie to you (without being pedantic about it) or worse: https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/us/openai-chatgpt-suicide-law...
Do you let them use the internet? YouTube? ChatGPT is roughly the same thing but more sanitized.
i agree on the sanitization aspect but it's the "misdirection" that i am worried about or the misalignment with our family values. Let's say the kid asks about sex or whatever hot topic out there, my values might (and probably are) be different than what chatgpt is giving them and i have no way of monitoring this. I mean i built something for them to use that is more age appropriate, we will see how that goes. I was just curious what other parents are doing.
to answer your question, no they are not allowed on youtube, tiktok or any social media. All games with chat are enable with only their friends which i have to approve. they have youtube kids but they don't like it, so they never use it.
The other problem is that most of their friends have access so they probably show them stuff on their devices :(. Some of their friends have ZERO limits and restrictions - not sure if it's ignorance on the parents part or they are ok with it.
I heard recently denmark banned social media for anyone under 15 (i think) which i believe is a great step and i wish we do it in the US.
to answer your question, no they are not allowed on youtube, tiktok or any social media. All games with chat are enable with only their friends which i have to approve. they have youtube kids but they don't like it, so they never use it.
The other problem is that most of their friends have access so they probably show them stuff on their devices :(. Some of their friends have ZERO limits and restrictions - not sure if it's ignorance on the parents part or they are ok with it.
I heard recently denmark banned social media for anyone under 15 (i think) which i believe is a great step and i wish we do it in the US.
use it for what?
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