About the challenge

Artificial intelligence is changing how children learn, play, communicate, and interact with the world. While AI creates exciting opportunities, it also introduces new risks, from harmful or age-inappropriate content to online exploitation, privacy violations, cyberbullying, and AI-generated manipulation.

This hackathon challenges students to design and build innovative solutions that protect children in an increasingly AI-powered world. Whether you are interested in machine learning, software development, cybersecurity, design, education, or social impact, we invite you to turn your ideas into meaningful solutions.

Get started

  1. Identify a problem. Explore a real challenge at the intersection of AI, online safety, and child well-being.
  2. Form a team or participate individually.
  3. Build a solution. Develop a minimum viable product, such as a website or application.
  4. Test and refine. Evaluate your solution for usability, effectiveness, privacy, and potential unintended consequences.
  5. Submit your project. Share your creation, explain the problem it addresses, and demonstrate its potential impact.

Requirements

What to Build

Build a solution that addresses a meaningful child safety challenge involving AI. Projects may explore, but are not limited to, the following areas:

  • AI-powered content safety: Detect or filter harmful, exploitative, violent, or age-inappropriate content.
  • Cyberbullying and emotional well-being: Develop tools that identify harmful interactions, encourage positive online behavior, or help children find trusted support.
  • Privacy and data protection: Create tools that minimize children's data collection, identify privacy risks, or help families understand how children's information is used.
  • Safer AI companions and chatbots: Design AI systems that use age-appropriate interactions, healthy boundaries, and safe responses to sensitive situations.
  • AI literacy and digital citizenship: Help children, parents, and educators understand AI risks, misinformation, deepfakes, and responsible technology use.
  • Parental and educator tools: Build practical resources that support children's safety without relying on excessive surveillance or undermining their independence.
  • Trustworthy AI systems: Develop methods to evaluate, audit, or improve the safety and reliability of AI products used by children.

What to Submit

Each individual/team should submit the following within the submission period:

  • Project overview: A brief explanation of the problem, your target users, and why it matters.
  • Code Repository: Provide a public GitHub (or equivalent) link with source code and documentation.
  • Demo Video (1-3 min): Showcase your project in action, highlighting key features and functionality.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

2 non-cash prizes
$250 Winner
1 winner

Amazon gift card

$150 Runner-up
1 winner

Amazon gift card

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Chloe Lin

Chloe Lin

Judging Criteria

  • Technical Execution (25%)
    Functionality, reliability, code quality, and effective implementation.
  • AI Relevance (20%)
    Meaningful use of AI that enhances the solution.
  • Usefulness (15%)
    How effectively the project solves a real problem or meets user needs.
  • Impact (15%)
    Potential to create measurable, scalable, and lasting value.
  • Creativity (15%)
    Originality, innovation, and differentiation from existing solutions.
  • Presentation (10%)
    Clarity of communication, quality of the demo, and ability to convey the project's value.

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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