Airbags open out like balloons whenever a car encounters an accident and prevents the driver and the passenger seated in front from hitting the dashboard or the wind shield. The Airbags acts like a cushion and reduces the impact. The Airbag has saved many lives during accidents.
However it is advisable not to seat kids in seats where there is a provision for an airbag because if anything unforeseen should occur, the airbag will be too big for the kids and will cause them hurt. In a scenario where you have no choice but to seat the kid in the front seat where the airbag is, you can push the seat all the way back so the kid will be as far away as possible from the air bag.