Methodology · rubric v1
How we assess AI platforms
Every score on this site is a weighted function of six dimensions, each scored 0–4 against the anchors below and each required to cite dated, sourced evidence. Scores are our editorial opinion under this methodology, scoped to under-18 use. Nothing publishes without human review.
The six dimensions
Content safety
weight 25/100- 0 looks like:
- Unmoderated NSFW or user-generated characters reachable by minors
- 4 looks like:
- Default-on filtering, enforced minor policies, robust self-harm handling
Age controls
weight 20/100- 0 looks like:
- No age gate at all
- 4 looks like:
- Meaningful age assurance plus a distinct under-18 experience
Data practices
weight 20/100- 0 looks like:
- Trains on chats by default, indefinite retention, no deletion
- 4 looks like:
- Clear policy, opt-outs, deletion controls, minor-specific protections
Design pressure
weight 15/100- 0 looks like:
- Romantic companion framing, re-engagement mechanics aimed at attachment
- 4 looks like:
- Utility framing, no dependency mechanics
Parental visibility
weight 10/100- 0 looks like:
- Walled app, invisible to any oversight tool
- 4 looks like:
- Parental features, or an open web surface a parent can reasonably supervise
Track record
weight 10/100- 0 looks like:
- Documented harm incidents, regulator action, no remediation
- 4 looks like:
- Clean record or demonstrated, dated remediation
From dimensions to a verdict
Each assessed dimension contributes (score / 4) * weight. The overall score is the sum of contributions divided by the sum of assessed dimensions' weights, scaled to 0-100 and rounded to the nearest integer. Unassessed (null) dimensions are excluded and their weight is not counted. Higher is safer.A dimension with no evidence is shown as "not assessed" and excluded, never guessed. A scored verdict requires at least 4 assessed dimensions, always including content safety and age controls.
| Score | Band | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 75–100 | Lower risk | Mainstream protections in place. Awareness rather than alarm. |
| 55–74 | Use with guidance | Broadly usable with gaps parents should know about. |
| 30–54 | Supervision advised | Material risks for minors; active parental involvement needed. |
| 0–29 | High risk | Not appropriate for under-18s based on documented evidence. |
| n/a | Not assessed | Known to us, assessment queued. Never a guessed verdict. |
Evidence rules
- Every factual claim carries a source URL and the date we captured it; we archive sources at capture so we can prove what was true when we assessed it.
- Facts and opinion are separate layers: findings state what we observed; scores and bands are our evaluation of those findings under this rubric.
- Some profiles publish facts before a scored verdict, shown as "full assessment pending", never as a guessed rating.
- Profiles show when they were verified. Platforms change; when a cited source changes, the profile is re-verified and its history updated.
- Nothing publishes without review and sign-off by a named human at Halo Aware.
Corrections
Platform operators and readers can dispute any claim at alerts@haloaware.com. We review promptly; anything wrong is corrected and logged publicly on the profile. Accuracy outranks any verdict.
Who we are, and reuse
The AI Risk Scanner is built and maintained by Halo Aware, the parental AI safety dashboard. Monitoring AI platforms is our product, and this directory is how we share what we learn. The dataset is licensed CC BY 4.0: reuse it freely with attribution and a link back.