AI Guidelines for Students: What’s Allowed and What’s Not (Free Poster Template)

AI is starting to show up in every corner of school life—from writing tools to language translators to math problem solvers. But most students aren’t sure where the line is.

Can I use ChatGPT to rewrite my paragraph? Is it okay to use AI to generate a full essay? What if I’m just using it to check my grammar?

To clear things up, we created a student-friendly, school-ready AI Guidelines Draft that lays out exactly what’s okay and what’s not. You can easily turn it into a poster using Canva or Monsha's AI Image Generator.

This guide is part of our full AI Policy Guide for Schools. It works well alongside the Family Communication Letter and AI Use Decision Tree.

📄 What’s in the Student Guidelines?

These guidelines are written directly for students, in plain language, and answer the most common questions like:

✅ What You Can Do:

• Use AI to brainstorm, summarise, or rewrite ideas
• Ask AI to explain things you don’t understand
• Use translation support (if your teacher allows it)
• Use school-approved tools only
• Be transparent with your teacher if you use AI
• Always edit the output before submitting anything

❌ What You Cannot Do:

• Copy and paste full AI answers as your own
• Use AI to write your whole assignment without permission
• Use unapproved tools or websites
• Enter personal data into any AI system
• Use AI on a test or quiz unless given the green light

🤔 Not Sure? Ask First.

• Students are reminded that using AI isn’t "cheating" when done responsibly
• But when in doubt, they should check with a teacher or staff member

📆 How to Use These Guidelines in Your School

• Print and hang in classrooms, tech labs, or library spaces
• Share with students during digital literacy lessons or advisory time
• Include in your student handbook or orientation materials
• Pair it with conversations about academic integrity and digital citizenship

You can download the content of the poster here: Download Student AI Guidelines (Google Doc)

🧳 Designed to Empower, Not Police

The goal here isn’t to scare students or block innovation. It’s to:

• Build digital responsibility
• Encourage creativity with accountability
• Set boundaries that protect privacy and promote learning

📉 Pair With These Student-Facing Resources

• Glossary of AI Terms — great for helping students understand the language of AI
• Family Communication Letter — to keep messaging consistent between home and school
• AI Use Decision Tree — for staff and students to discuss edge cases

Want to build your full policy and support structure? Start with the AI Policy Guide for Schools.

Let’s teach students how to use AI with purpose, curiosity, and care.

Student AI Use: What’s Allowed, What’s Not, and Why

Q: What are student AI guidelines?
They’re clear rules that help students understand how to use AI tools responsibly and ethically in school.

Q: Can students use AI to write assignments?
Only with teacher permission—and students must review and edit the AI output before submitting.

Q: Why is it important to teach students responsible AI use?
It helps develop digital citizenship, academic integrity, and safe technology habits.