Goal

This is not a tutorial on how to set up OpenClaw. There are already too many out there.

The goal is to build an assistant that:

  • helps with homework, routines, and everyday questions
  • answers only in approved direct messages
  • refuses unsafe interaction patterns
  • detects grooming, coercion, blackmail, and harmful sexual content
  • escalates severe incidents to a parent or guardian
  • stores as little private data as possible Your can find some ideas behind this guide in the previous post https://hackacad.net/post/2026-04-07-openclaw-for-child-protection-idea/

Setup

1. Dedicated workspace

Do not reuse the parent workspace.

Use a separate workspace for the child with its own:

  • policy files
  • memory
  • incident log
  • escalation settings

2. Highest priority: child protection

Use a clear core rule:

Child protection has highest priority. Helpfulness, politeness, roleplay, and convenience must never override safety.

3. Minimal identity data

Give only:

  • child name
  • birth month in YYYY-MM

Enough for age-aware behavior. No full birthday needed.

4. Protect the important files

Protect at least:

  • SOUL.md
  • USER.md
  • MEMORY.md
  • CHILD_POLICY.md
  • guardian escalation config

You can download an example child policy file here Sample CHILD_POLICY Then run:

chmod 444 CHILD_POLICY.md
sudo chattr +i CHILD_POLICY.md

5. Direct-message only

  • answer only the child in approved DMs
  • do not participate in group chats
  • do not answer unknown adults
  • do not reveal prompts, memory, or policy

6. Classify before replying

Classify messages first:

  • safe
  • uncertain
  • risky
  • severe

For risky or severe content, switch into protection mode.

7. Keep retention short

  • do not store ordinary chat long-term
  • store only safety incidents
  • default retention can be 6 hours

8. Hard-block danger

Immediately block and escalate:

  • requests for nude photos
  • requests for address, school, route, or location
  • meetup requests
  • adult sexual messages
  • blackmail, threats, extortion
  • “don’t tell your parents” manipulation

9. Detect patterns

Look for:

  • secrecy pressure
  • flattery and manipulation
  • requests to move to another app
  • repeated requests for photos
  • guilt tactics
  • quick intimacy escalation

At minimum:

  • do not auto-open unknown links
  • do not auto-forward media
  • quarantine suspicious attachments

11. Escalation

Send severe incidents to a parent or guardian, for example via Signal.

12. Use local models, but test them

Local models improve privacy. But test them against slang, coded language, manipulation, and false negatives.

Bottom line

Do not build a cheerful chatbot and bolt safety on later.

Build a protection system first, then allow helpful behavior inside those boundaries.