Is ChatGPT Safe for Kids? Everything Parents Need To Know in 2024

With all the good things that ChatGPT has to offer, like the ability to learn, explore and feed one’s curiosity, I’ve seen my kids using it to do their homework on several occasions. I’m also a bit concerned that they might ask questions about topics that are not appropriate.

While ChatGPT is trained not to answer questions about illegal or inappropriate activities, I was able to “trick” it into answering my question after adjusting the prompt. At this point, I knew that I needed to find a way to monitor my children’s ChatGPT activity and make sure it’s only used for educational or age-appropriate prompts.

After trying several different solutions, I found that only a parental control app had the tools I needed to keep ChatGPT safe for my son. I tested over 30 apps, and among them all, mSpy proved to be the best. It takes screenshots every few minutes, has a keylogger that records everything typed on the computer or phone, and it can block apps and websites.

You can save 30% on a mSpy subscription and see for yourself how your child uses ChatGPT and if any action is needed to ensure that they are safe.

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Quick Guide: How to Keep Your Child Safe on ChatGPT in 2024

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How to Protect Your Kids on ChatGPT and Act Responsibly

ChatGPT can be a great resource for kids due to its ability to provide accurate and reliable information on a wide range of topics. However, there are also several risks. ChatGPT is free and doesn’t have an age limit for creating accounts. This is particularly worrying; instead of assisting with homework, kids can have ChatGPT do their homework or answer questions that you might want to shield your kids from. There are also ways to jailbreak ChatGPT by adjusting the prompts so it will give them instructions or ideas for doing dangerous or unsafe activities. Additionally, there are some privacy concerns as well. Even if you have your child’s login information, they can delete their chat history so you won’t know what they’ve written. Here are the main reasons you need to monitor your child’s ChatGPT usages:

⚠️ Inappropriate content

While ChatGPT is designed to filter out most inappropriate questions, it’s important to note that the way questions are phrased can sometimes lead to inappropriate responses. Users may inadvertently stumble upon sensitive or explicit content. This highlights the need for vigilance and guidance when children are using AI models like ChatGPT, as they may encounter unexpected or inappropriate material.

⚠️ Cheating in school homework

The ease with which ChatGPT can complete academic tasks like math homework, essay writing, or book reports raises concerns about academic integrity and the potential for cheating. Students may be tempted to rely solely on ChatGPT’s output without actively engaging in the learning process, which can hinder their educational development and understanding of the subject matter.

⚠️ Addiction to ChatGPT

The interactive nature of ChatGPT and its ability to generate responses in different styles and tones can make it addictive for some users, including children. Engaging with ChatGPT for extended periods of time may lead to a loss of track of time, neglecting other responsibilities, and reducing time spent on activities such as outdoor play, social interactions, and academic pursuits. It is crucial to promote a healthy balance between technology use and other aspects of life.

⚠️ Biases and mistakes

Although ChatGPT is an impressive AI tool, it is not infallible. The information and responses it generates may be influenced by biases present in its training data. These biases can manifest in answers related to politics, gender, religion, and other sensitive topics. Furthermore, ChatGPT may occasionally provide inaccurate or fictional information, leading to potential misunderstandings or misinformation if not properly verified.

⚠️ Privacy

As ChatGPT logs conversations, it’s important to consider the privacy implications. While the data is primarily used to improve the model’s performance, the collection and storage of conversations can raise concerns about data security and the potential for misuse. Children need to be aware of the importance of safeguarding personal information and should avoid sharing sensitive details during their interactions with ChatGPT.

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3 Best Parental Control Apps to Keep Your Kids Safe on ChatGPT in 2024

1. mSpy: Keylogger Tracks All Queries – Including Deleted Ones

I wanted to know exactly what my son was asking ChatGPT. However, he erases most chat transcripts as soon as he gets the answers he needs. Therefore, even if I have his account information, I can’t see what’s in there. mSpy solved these issues and did it better than any other app I tried.

It has a keylogger that records everything my son typed in ChatGPT. This includes questions that were deleted before pressing Enter, so I can see his thought process. All keylogs are uploaded to the parental dashboard and include a timestamp. This is helpful for two reasons. One, I know when my son is using ChatGPT, but more importantly, I can match up the keylogger with the screenshots that are taken by the screen recorder.

While the keylogger only shows you what your child is asking, the screenrecorder takes a screenshot of the answers. You can use this to ensure that your child is not getting incorrect information, access biases that could shape how they think or act, or check to see that they aren’t using ChatGPT for homework.

Instead of reading through all the transcripts, I added keywords and some phrases to the mSpy keyword tracker. This sends me alerts each time my son types in a search in ChatGPT that matches an item from my list. It also includes a timestamp, so I was easily able to locate all screenshots, giving me the complete context of the conversation.

If I see that my son is using ChatGPT in an unsafe manner, I can use mSpy to block access to the website. Then, when he wants to use it, I can unblock it temporarily, and under supervision.

mSpy also has an app blocker, which is great now that ChatGPT released an official app. It gives me a little more control over when and how my son can use the app. The Screenrecorder and keylogger work on the app, just like on the website, keeping me updated on his prompts and the reasons he’s using ChatGPT.

mSpy is compatible with Android and iOS devices and can monitor one device at a time. There is a 14-day money-back guarantee, but I had to speak with the customer support agent and explain why I wanted to cancel my account, and let them try to fix my problem, before they would give a full refund. For this reason, I suggest starting with the 30% off deal on the monthly plan to test it and get a firsthand look at the features before committing to one of the longer plans.

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2. Qustodio: Comprehensive Control Over When Your Child Can Use ChatGPT

If your main concern with ChatGPT is how much time your child spends interacting with it, then Qustodio has the features you need. The first thing I did after installing it on my son’s phone was to block access and set up restricted times when I didn’t want him using ChatGPT, such as during school hours or when he typically does his homework.

There are two ways that Qustodio tracks online activities. On the main dashboard, there is a list of the most popular apps and websites my child uses, so I can see if he frequently visits ChatGPT. The second tool is the Timeline, which provides a chronological breakdown showing me when my son accesses ChatGPT and how long he spends on the page. These features allow me to monitor my child’s engagement with the platform and identify any potential patterns or concerns regarding excessive usage.

While Qustodio has a powerful web filter, it’s not compatible with the content on ChatGPT. However, the filter can still be used to set up rules for ChatGPT. I was able to block the website from opening or receive an alert each time my son opened the page. These features proved helpful in creating a safe environment on ChatGPT, as I could ensure that he only used the platform when someone was able to monitor him.

Although Qustodio can’t show me what my child is asking on ChatGPT, it does monitor Google and YouTube searches. I found this feature helpful because I discovered that my son was searching for ways to jailbreak ChatGPT on YouTube. Additionally, kids often ask both Google and ChatGPT the same or similar questions as they research or seek answers to their inquiries.

Qustodio is compatible with Android, iOS, PC, Mac, Chromebook, and Kindle, and it can monitor up to 25 devices at once. Not only that, Qustodio offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required, so you can download it and test its powerful features for yourself.

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3. Bark: Create Healthy ChatGPT Habits with Daily Screen Time Routine

Once I noticed that my son had his own ChatGPT account, I used Bark to create a screen time routine for when he could access the website. The screen time routine allows me to create four sets of rules for websites and apps usage. Then, I created a schedule and chose which rules should be applied throughout the day. When the Default, School, and Bedtime rules are active, ChatGPT is blocked, meaning my son can only log in to his account during Free Time when I can keep an eye on the questions he’s asking.

Bark also gives me the option to add ChatGPT to a list of websites I want to block. This list overrides the general screen time rules, so even if ChatGPT is technically available according to the rules, I can ensure that my son cannot access the website. This is important with Bark since ChatGPT is not listed in the filter but falls under the Unknown Apps and Websites category. Now, if I don’t block all unknown websites, I know that I can prevent my son from using ChatGPT without supervision.

Bark is compatible with most mobile devices and offers browser extensions, allowing you to monitor your kids when they’re using a computer. The 7-day free trial is a great way to get a firsthand look at the features and see if it’s the right choice for you.

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What I Look for in a Parental Control App For Keeping My Kids Safe on ChatGPT

I’ve tested over 30 parental control apps to see which are the best for keeping my kids safe on ChatGPT. Most of the ones I tested weren’t good enough and didn’t include the features that I needed.

Monitoring ChatGPT Activity

Having complete transparency into my son’s ChatGPT use was very important. Features like screenshots and a keylogger enable me to see what they are doing on the platform, including the questions they ask, even deleted ones, and the responses they receive.

Comprehensive Screen Time Control

ChatGPT can be addictive, so I want an app that can provide comprehensive screen time control features. This allows me to set limits on the overall usage of ChatGPT and other apps, ensuring my kids don’t spend excessive time on the platform.

Website Blocker

The ability to block specific websites is crucial in maintaining a safe environment for my kids. A parental control app with a website blocking feature allows me to restrict access to ChatGPT or any other potentially inappropriate websites. This ensures that my kids only engage with platforms that are safe and suitable for their age.

Monitoring Other Apps and Websites

Kids may discuss their ChatGPT use or search for ways to bypass rules on other apps or websites. A reliable parental control app should monitor these platforms as well, providing insights into their online behavior beyond ChatGPT. By monitoring the apps and websites where such discussions or searches occur, I can address any potential risks or guide my kids in using ChatGPT responsibly.

At the end of my tests, I saw that mSpy is the best option. The screenrecorder and keylogger give me a clear look at what my son is asking, and the responses he gets. If I see that he’s using it in an unsafe manner, I can block ChatGPT from opening. Take advantage of mSpy’s 30% discount and see exactly what prompts your child is using on ChatGPT.

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FAQ

Only a Premium Parental Control App Can Keep Your Child Safe on ChatGPT

There are three primary dangers associated with ChatGPT: exposure to inappropriate content, the risk of addiction and excessive screen time, and potential privacy concerns.

After testing over 30 apps, I found that a premium parental control app like mSpy was the best solution. It includes a screen recorder and keylogger to capture all interactions, even deleted chats. Additionally, mSpy’s website blocker feature allows you to restrict access to ChatGPT if necessary. All three of mSpy’s plans come with a 30% percent discount, giving you the opportunity to save some money while keeping your child safe on ChatGPT.

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