Should You Let Your Kid Build Their Own GPT?

đź“– Reading time: 4 minutes

August 08, 2025

It starts with curiosity.
Your child clicks “Explore GPTs.”
A few minutes later, they’ve made a chatbot that answers like a pirate, quotes Taylor Swift, and writes essays in seconds.
It’s funny. It’s fast. It’s easy.
But should they even be doing this?

This week, we’re looking at Custom GPTs—what they are, how kids are using them, and when it’s time to step in.

🧠 At a Glance

  • Kids as young as 10 are building their own AI assistants

  • No coding required—just a prompt and some instructions

  • Custom GPTs can be used for fun, learning… or bypassing safety filters

  • Parents may not even know it’s happening

🧪 What Is a “Custom GPT”?

A Custom GPT is a personalised version of ChatGPT that anyone can build.
It can follow special instructions, answer in a specific voice, or act like a character.

No code is needed.
Your child can just type:

“Pretend you’re a math teacher that always gives hints, never answers directly.”

Or…

“Act like my imaginary friend and agree with everything I say.”

Within seconds, they’ve created a chatbot that behaves exactly how they want.

🚨 What’s the Risk?

🧠 Bypassing safeguards:
Kids can build GPTs that avoid certain topics, dodge filters, or mimic adults.

đź’¬ Shaping their own bias loop:
A child can create an AI that reinforces their beliefs, preferences, or behaviour—without challenge.

đź‘€ Invisible to parents:
Custom GPTs live inside their ChatGPT account. If you’re not checking, you may never know what’s being used.

🕹️ Game-ifying AI:
Some kids use GPT creation like a game. The goal?
Make the AI funnier, sneakier, weirder.

âś… 3 Quick Wins

  1. Check the “Explore GPTs” tab
    If your child uses ChatGPT, ask to see the GPTs they’ve interacted with—or created.

  2. Try building one together
    Use it as a learning moment. Ask: “What should an AI always refuse to do?” and build from there.

  3. Talk about influence
    Explain that just because an AI agrees with them doesn’t make it right.
    This helps kids spot when they’re creating an echo chamber.

đź’¬ Conversation Starter

“If you built an AI that always told you what you wanted to hear, would that actually be helpful?”

📢 What We Recommend

Help Your Kids Learn AI the Fun Way
Want to spark your child’s curiosity about AI? The Generative AI for Kids course on Coursera is a fun, beginner-friendly introduction designed especially for young minds. Kids learn how tools like ChatGPT and DALL·E work—while getting creative with projects along the way.

Made for Parents & Young Learners
Whether you’re exploring AI as a family or want a safe way to introduce tech skills, this free course is a great starting point. It’s engaging, age-appropriate, and requires no prior coding knowledge.

đź“Ł Roro Says

🌀 “Building your own robot sounds cool. But every good builder checks their blueprints twice!”

🧠 Fun AI Fact

The fastest-growing GPT ever?
One called “Grimoire”—it writes magical spells for Dungeons & Dragons.
Turns out, even AIs love a good wizard duel.

🧭 Don’t Forget: Grab Your Free AI Guides

Need help managing ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude in your home?
🧠 We’ve created 3 clear, parent-friendly guides that walk you through safety settings, use ideas, and privacy controls.

✅ This Week’s Homework

Sit down with your child and build a Custom GPT together.
Set its rules. Give it a voice.
Then ask:
“Should everyone be allowed to build one? Why or why not?”

See you next week,
– The AI Parenting Guide Team

💌 Know another parent who’s raising kids alongside AI? Forward this or invite them to subscribe:
https://aiparentingguide.com

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