Short answer: 13 is the common minimum for general tools — which rules out primary pupils. ChatGPT, Gemini and similar general-purpose tools typically set 13 as their minimum age in their terms of use, often with parental consent requirements beyond that. Terms vary by tool and change over time, so check the current terms of any specific tool — but the pattern is consistent enough that the practical rule for primary schools is simple: general AI tools are for adults.
The distinction that matters: general vs child-specific
Some education platforms build AI features designed for children, with age-appropriate content filters, monitoring, and education data terms. Those are a different category — assessed through your normal safeguarding and procurement checks rather than ruled out by age terms. What's never appropriate is primary pupils on general consumer AI tools, whatever the supervision. Our guides to AI and safeguarding and whether pupils can use ChatGPT cover the detail.
What to tell parents
Parents often ask this exact question about home use. A helpful school position: general AI tools carry a 13+ minimum, child-focused tools vary, and the same rule that applies at school — an adult checks what AI produces — is good practice at home too.