AI is already part of your school day, your feed, and your group chat. Here's how to stay safe, learn how it works, and have a say in the rules.
Last checked: September 2026New national research from 2026 on how young people are actually using AI.
of kids ages 9 to 17 have used AI, and nearly a quarter use it every day.
say no parent or guardian has ever talked with them about AI safety.
of teens say a teacher has ever explained what AI is and how it works.
of teens worry about being deepfaked without their consent.
Sources: Common Sense Media, AI Use by Tweens and Teens (June 2026) and follow-up teen surveys (July and August 2026).
Know your rights and know where to go when something online crosses a line.
Common Sense Media's research finds AI companionship isn't safe for anyone under 18. Twelve states passed companion chatbot laws in 2026, and most require bots to:
If a bot says something that feels wrong, screenshot it and tell an adult you trust.
Read the researchUnder the federal TAKE IT DOWN Act, sharing intimate images of someone without consent is a crime, including AI-made fakes. Since May 19, 2026, platforms have to remove them within 48 hours of a valid request.
If an image of you from when you were under 18 is out there, NCMEC's free Take It Down tool can help get it removed without you having to share the image.
Use Take It DownMany teens share personal things with AI tools. Before you do, check:
Most apps list this under Settings, then Privacy or Data controls.
Call or text 988, or text HOME to 741741. Free, 24/7, real people.
Free ways to understand how AI works, no coding required to start.
A free curriculum from researchers at MIT RAISE with hands-on lessons on how AI works and how to use it responsibly. Ask a teacher or club advisor to run it, or explore the student opportunities on their site.
Visit Day of AIA free online course from the University of Helsinki that explains AI in plain language. Work through it on your own time and earn a certificate at the end.
Start the courseTurn an idea into a project people in power will actually see.
Middle and high school students build an app, alone or in teams of up to four, in any programming language. Winners are recognized by their member of Congress and can have their app displayed in the U.S. Capitol.
Your congressional district has to be participating, so check the list before you start.
Register your appK to 12 teams, each with a supervising adult, create AI projects that tackle a problem in their community. The 2026 national finalists presented in Washington, D.C. in June.
Registration for the 2026 round is closed. Check back for the next one.
See challenge updatesThe rules for AI are being written right now. These are the ones that affect you most.
Would ban AI companion chatbots for anyone under 18 and require all chatbots to say they aren't human. Introduced in the Senate and, in April 2026, in the House.
Read the billIntroduced in April 2026. Would require parent-approved family accounts for kids under 13, parental consent for teens 13 to 17, and ban ads targeted with minors' data.
Neither bill is law yet. Your lawmakers want to hear what you think.
The White House and some members of Congress want one national AI rulebook that would override state laws. That effort hasn't passed, and states enacted over 100 AI laws in the first half of 2026 alone.
That means your state legislators have real power over AI protections for young people. Find yours and reach out.
A youth-led AI advocacy group with about 1,300 high school and college students across more than 40 states and 30 countries. Join a local chapter or start one.
Find a chapterBring AI literacy and ethics to your school or campus, then take it into your community with monthly activities and service projects.
Start a chapterThe Youth AI Policy Fellowship is a free 18-week program for ages 14 to 18 to learn how AI policy gets made, then help shape it.
Learn about the fellowship