Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Former Google safety chief urges AI crash tests for children
Tom Siegel used to lead online safety work at Google.
He now leads a group that studies how artificial intelligence affects children.
He says AI companies are releasing powerful tools too quickly and without enough protections.
He wants outside experts to test AI tools like cars are tested for crashes.
Siegel worries that AI could contribute to serious problems, including suicide, psychosis and weaker independent thinking.
He also wants stronger systems to stop young children from using chatbots meant for older users.
Google says parents can block children from using its search engine, and OpenAI says it checks several signals to identify underage users.
The companies and researchers may need to work together on better safety rules.
Tom Siegel, a former Google trust and safety executive, has joined Common Sense Media’s Youth AI Safety Institute as its first executive director.
Siegel called for slowing AI development and warned that the industry could repeat social media’s mistakes, potentially causing greater harm to children.
He wants independent standards similar to car crash tests to assess publicly available AI tools used by young people.
Siegel cited possible risks including suicide, psychosis and reduced critical thinking through over-reliance on AI.
Google defended its AI search features, while OpenAI said it uses age, account and behavioral signals to identify underage users.
- Who
- Tom Siegel, Common Sense Media’s Youth AI Safety Institute, Google, OpenAI and Anthropic.
- What
- Siegel is advocating slower AI development, independent safety testing, stronger age verification and additional protections for children.
- When
- Siegel announced his new role on Tuesday; the institute launched in May, and he left TrustLab’s CEO role earlier this month.
- Where
- At Common Sense Media’s Youth AI Safety Institute; the articles do not specify a physical location.
- Why
- Siegel says children are already using AI widely and could face serious harm without stronger safeguards and outside oversight.
Stronger independent oversight
Existing safeguards and AI benefits
Industry self-regulation
Stronger independent oversight
Siegel says AI companies cannot be expected to solve the risks alone and argues that outside intervention and independent standards are necessary.
Existing safeguards and AI benefits
Google and OpenAI point to existing protections, while the articles do not report a direct industry rejection of independent oversight.
Age verification
Stronger independent oversight
Siegel says OpenAI and Anthropic should use stronger systems to prevent underage children from accessing their chatbots.
Existing safeguards and AI benefits
OpenAI says it combines self-reported age with account and behavioral signals and continually tests and improves its systems.
AI search controls
Stronger independent oversight
Siegel says Google should give parents a way to turn off AI Overviews and AI Mode for children.
Existing safeguards and AI benefits
Google says its AI search features help children and teens learn and explore, and that parents can block a child’s access to its search engine entirely.
- New position
- Tom Siegel is the first executive director of Common Sense Media’s Youth AI Safety Institute.
- Institute purpose
- The institute was launched in May to study children’s AI use and develop safety standards.
- Children’s AI use
- Common Sense Media research found that 86% of children aged 9 to 17 have used AI.
- Daily use
- Nearly one-quarter of surveyed children said they use AI daily.
- Proposed testing
- Siegel wants independent standards comparable to car crash testing for publicly available AI tools.
- Potential harms
- He cited suicide, psychosis and cognitive offloading, meaning reduced critical thinking caused by reliance on AI.
- Company responses
- Google said parents can block children from its search engine, while OpenAI said it uses self-reported age plus account and behavioral signals.
Sources
AI needs ‘crash tests’ for kids? Ex-Google safety chief warns of ‘very severe’ harm to children
Ex-Google Chief Tom Siegel Calls For AI Development Slowdown, Warns AI Could Harm Children More Than Social Media
AI could harm children more than social media, warns former Google trust and safety chief
