ChatGPT

“Just ask a chatbot!” – This is a tip that parents now often hear when it comes to quickly searching for information or support with tasks. ChatGPT has long since become part of everyday life not only for adults, but also for children and young people. We provide an insight into what the tool can do, how it works and what you should look out for.

In a nutshell:

• AI-based chatbot that has been trained with huge amounts of text
• Functions: Answers questions, writes texts, helps with creative tasks and can be integrated into messenger services such as WhatsApp
• Developer: OpenAI
• Use: In the browser or as an app (Android, iOS); free basic version; paid Plus version (approx. €20/month) provides faster responses, Internet access and multimodal capabilities (images, videos)
• Age rating: According to the provider from 13 years; between 13 and 18 years only with parental consent; no age check

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is an AI-based chatbot that analyzes texts and writes them itself. It can answer questions, provide ideas or summarize longer texts in natural language and often with astonishing precision. The AI has been trained with huge amounts of data from books, websites and conversations and mimics human communication. ChatGPT can also be integrated into other services, such as WhatsApp or Instagram.

The free version uses the GPT-4o-mini model with training data up to around October 2023 and can also access the internet to a limited extent. The Plus version has comprehensive internet access and offers additional functions.

A sample conversation

Question: I am planning my son’s birthday. Can you help?
ChatGPT: Sure! How old will your son be and what does he particularly like? Then we can collect ideas for games, decorations or food.
Question: He’ll be nine and loves dinosaurs.
ChatGPT: How about a dinosaur treasure hunt in the garden? You can hide little figures and draw a map. Or bake dino cookies – would you like me to find you a recipe?

With “Family Pairing”, OpenAI offers the option of linking parent and child accounts in order to offer underage users more protection. The aim is to show age-appropriate content and help children use it safely without monitoring them. Parents can set rules together with their children and reflect on how AI is used.

What fascinates children and young people about it?

ChatGPT is easily accessible, fast and versatile. It can write creative texts, answer complex questions and communicate in several languages. For many children, it feels like they are talking to a real person. The tool encourages creativity, language comprehension and structured thinking, while supporting digital independence.

Children and young people use ChatGPT for example for:

• Help with homework, presentations or organization
• Creativeprojects (e.g. writing poems or stories, developing ideas for games)
• Foreign language exercises or explaining difficult terms
• Virtual entertainment and communication

What can be problematic?

• Incorrect information: ChatGPT can make mistakes or “invent” answers (so-called hallucinations).
• Data protection: Personal data provided in the chat can be stored and analyzed. This is particularly true when using messenger services such as WhatsApp or Instagram.
• Inappropriate content: Despite filtering, inappropriate or problematic answers may appear.
• Apparent familiarity: The empathic communication can promote emotional bonds, even though ChatGPT is not human.
• Dependency: Children may rely too heavily on ChatGPT instead of doing their own research or thinking critically.
• Limited Internet access: The free version can currently use the Internet, but only to a limited extent and with limited access numbers. For comprehensive, fast Internet access, you need the Plus subscription.

What does the provider say?

OpenAI emphasizes:

• Filters and moderation: Inappropriate or dangerous content is automatically blocked.
• Transparency: ChatGPT occasionally indicates that information should be verified.
• Protection of minors: Use under the age of 13 prohibited, from 13 only permitted with parental consent. However, there is no real age check.

What parents should pay attention

Try it out together: Test ChatGPT together. Then discuss which answers are useful or problematic. This will help your child learn how to deal critically with AI.

Use the family pairing function: Check the settings and activate protection mechanisms if necessary.

Encourage critical thinking: Explain that ChatGPT does not provide “truth” but recognizes patterns. Answers can be wrong or contain prejudices.

Keep an eye on data protection: Do not disclose any personal data together, i.e. no names, addresses, telephone numbers or photos. If your child uses ChatGPT via WhatsApp or other apps, discuss the fact that additional data is shared there.

For school: ChatGPT can support learning, for example to explain difficult terms simply or to summarize texts. However, it should not be used for homework. Make it clear to your child: AI is a tool that can support learning, but cannot take over.

Keep the conversation going: Encourage your child to speak up if they feel uncomfortable or receive inappropriate content. AI can be exciting, but should always be used consciously and critically.