Mumbai AI safety kit offers activities for children aged three to eight

A three-year-old asking a smart speaker a question is the starting point for a new Mumbai AI safety kit aimed at families with young children.

The AI Safety Awareness Kit for Parents, created by Dr Swati Popat Vats, president of the Early Childhood Association, is designed for children aged three to eight. Distributed by the association and Inspirenext Learning Foundation, it uses play, rhymes, stories and family activities rather than conventional lessons.

The kit asks adults to describe devices accurately: a smart speaker is programmed to respond, for instance, rather than something that “knows” an answer. Its “human first” approach says machines can assist children but should not replace human judgement, relationships or decision-making.

Activities include “AI Detective”, which encourages children to question and verify information, and “Secret Keeper”, which teaches them not to share personal details with apps or AI tools without a trusted adult. Other exercises introduce sequencing, algorithms, debugging and the difference between living things and machines.

“Screen habits are another major component,” Popat said, adding that technology should not replace movement, outdoor play, meals or human relationships. The kit also includes a parent checklist and a Family AI Pledge centred on checking information and keeping people in charge of decisions.