Is Copilot safer than ChatGPT for my kid?

Generally, yes. Microsoft uses stricter content filtering and doesn't train its public models on individual user data in the same way some other platforms do. Plus, the citations make it easier to fact-check.

Can I see what my kid is asking Copilot?

If they are signed into a Microsoft family account, you can see their search and activity history. However, it's better to treat it like a shared tool in a common area so you can see the prompts in real-time.

Does it cost money to use the 'Smart' (GPT-5) mode?

Microsoft typically offers a free tier with limited 'Smart' uses per day, while the Copilot Pro subscription gives unlimited access to the most advanced models. For most school needs, the free version is plenty.

Will it help my kid cheat on their math homework?

It can solve equations and show the steps, which is great for learning but easy for cheating. It's best used as a 'tutor' where you ask it to explain the process rather than just give the answer.

Microsoft Copilot – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Microsoft Copilot

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2023

86%

WISE Score

4.8

App Store

The Swiss Army knife of AI that can write your kid's essay, draw their dreams, and summarize the internet—for better or worse.

Microsoft Copilot

app

Everyone, 2023

86%

WISE Score

4.8

App Store

The Swiss Army knife of AI that can write your kid's essay, draw their dreams, and summarize the internet—for better or worse.

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Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

Microsoft Copilot is the most 'adult' of the major AI assistants, mostly because it's baked into the productivity tools we already use. In 2026, with GPT-5 under the hood, it's significantly more capable of nuanced conversation than it was at launch. It’s less of a toy than ChatGPT and more of a research-heavy companion.

For families, it’s a double-edged sword. It’s an incredible tutor that can break down a chemistry concept in five different ways until it clicks, but it’s also a tempting 'easy button' for any writing assignment. It’s the kind of tech you want to use with your kid rather than just handing it over and hoping for the best.

Age Fit

Technically rated for 13+, but a savvy 10-year-old can get a ton of value out of this for schoolwork with a parent nearby to check for 'AI-isms' and hallucinations.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It's a polite, helpful assistant that maintains a neutral, productive tone. It's not 'warm,' but it's consistently professional and avoids the toxic sludge found in other corners of the internet.

Imaginative

The image generation and brainstorming capabilities are top-tier. It's a massive sandbox for kids to visualize ideas, write stories, and experiment with creative prompts.

Safe

Microsoft has some of the strictest guardrails in the AI space, but it's still a gateway to the open web and can hallucinate or occasionally bypass filters if poked hard enough.

Enriching

As a research tool that actually cites its sources, it's a huge step up from basic search. It can explain complex physics or help debug a line of code in seconds.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

GPT-5 integration in 'Smart' mode offers reasoning and logic that finally feels less like a chatbot and more like a competent tutor.
Cites its sources directly in the chat, which is a massive win for teaching kids that information doesn't just appear out of thin air—it comes from real websites.
Visual creation via Designer (formerly DALL-E) is incredibly fast and high-quality, making it a great tool for school projects or just making weird art.
Voice chat allows for hands-free brainstorming, which can be great for kids who struggle with typing or spelling but have big ideas.

⚠

What to Watch For

The homework shortcut is the elephant in the room; it will happily write a 500-word essay on the Great Depression in ten seconds if you don't set boundaries.
Hallucinations still happen, even with GPT-5. It can sound incredibly confident while being completely wrong about a historical date or a math problem.
Image generation can occasionally produce 'uncanny valley' or slightly creepy results depending on the prompt, though explicit content is strictly blocked.

Conversation Starters

"If you had to explain to the AI why its last answer was wrong, how would you do it?"
"Do you think using this to summarize a book is the same thing as reading it?"
"How can we tell if the sources the AI linked are actually trustworthy?"
"If you could use the image generator to design a new planet, what would the first three prompts be?"

Deep Dive

The GPT-5 Leap

By May 2026, the novelty of AI has worn off, and we're left with the utility. Copilot’s 'Smart' mode—powered by GPT-5—is a genuine step forward in reasoning. Unlike earlier models that often felt like they were just predicting the next likely word, this version feels like it's actually 'thinking' through a problem. For a student, this means it's better at spotting logical fallacies in their own writing or helping them structure a complex argument.

More Than Just a Chatbot

What sets Copilot apart from the field is the integration. It isn't just a box you type into; it's connected to the live web with a better search index than its competitors. When it gives an answer, it provides footnotes. This is a crucial teaching moment for parents: always click the links. Teaching a kid to verify an AI's claim by looking at the source material is one of the most important digital literacy skills they can have right now.

The Creativity Sandbox

The image generation is where most kids will spend their time. It’s transitioned from a gimmick to a legitimate design tool. Whether they're making a logo for a lemonade stand or a character for a D&D campaign, the speed and quality are staggering. Just be aware that it can become a bit of a 'slot machine' for the brain—prompt, wait, see the shiny result, repeat. It’s worth encouraging kids to iterate on a single idea rather than just spamming new prompts for the dopamine hit.

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