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Back to School in the Age of AI: New Tools for Kids

Children walking around a classroom wearing backpacks
Emma Henderson Vaughan
08-12-2025

A brand-new episode of NCMEC’s flagship online safety program, “Into the Cloud,” is live now and it’s tackling one of the fastest-growing online threats facing kids today: the misuse of generative AI technology (GAI).

As kids head back to school and settle into new routines, they’re also spending more time on devices—for homework, socializing, gaming and more. This increased screen time brings new and evolving risks, including some threats that didn't even exist a few years ago.

The latest episode, titled “That's Not Me!" helps kids understand how GAI can be misused and what to do if they see something concerning online. In the episode, characters Clicky and Nettie discover that someone is using artificial intelligence tools to create fake images of people. With the help of their friend, Gig, they work to figure out who’s behind these images and help prevent it from happening again.

The NetSmartz crew reminds young viewers that if something happens, it’s never their fault, and that they should always speak up and report it to NCMEC's CyberTipline.

This episode comes at a critical time. In 2024 alone, NCMEC saw a 1,325% increase in CyberTipline reports involving GAI. This includes peer-to-peer misuse, where kids use “nudify” apps and other tools to create and share explicit images of classmates. This troubling trend makes open conversations about online safety more important than ever.

Whether your child is just starting school or about to graduate, they need to know they can come to you with anything that makes them feel uneasy. To help guide the conversation about GAI, NCMEC created tipsheets for parents, caregivers and educators.

Here are three simple ways to get started: 

 

  • Educate yourself about the risks of GAI misuse. Learn about the challenges that could occur and share them with your children.
  • Ask your child to show you what they know about GAI, including how they use the tools.
  • Reassure them that if something happens, they can come to you—no matter what.

 

Don’t forget, NCMEC is here to support you—because the more we talk, the more confident and empowered our kids become, and the better prepared they’ll be to navigate the digital world safely, no matter what comes next.

To watch season 3 of “Into the Cloud” visit our website here: https://www.ncmec.org/netsmartz/intothecloud

For more information on talking to your kids about online safety and resources visit our website at: https://ncmec.org/netsmartz/home

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