In new surveys of teenagers, researchers attempted to find out how they use AI. It turns out that parents are not aware of how their children apply artificial intelligence — from doing homework to seeking emotional support. This is reported by the BBC.
Isis Joseph illustrates a global trend. According to her, "parents sometimes exaggerate the threat posed by AI," although many of their concerns are justified. "Nevertheless, I believe that AI is generally helpful."
This situation reflects a broader understanding gap between parents and teenagers, according to findings from the Pew Research Center and the organization Common Sense Media, which advocates for children's rights. Research shows that many parents have no idea how their children use AI, and only a few discuss it with them at home.
"Families need better discussions about how their children use chatbots," emphasizes Monica Anderson, managing director of the Pew Research Center. "This conversation is not happening with a significant portion of parents," she adds.
In the Pew study, 1,458 American teenagers aged 13 to 17 and their parents were surveyed. "We saw a gap between parents' views on what is happening with AI and what teenagers are actually doing," says Anderson.
When Pew surveyed parents, only 51% confirmed that their children use AI. However, 64% of teenagers stated that they actively use chatbots. Similar results were obtained by Common Sense Media, which also noted that millions of parents are unaware of what is happening on their children's screens.
This explains why 40% of parents have never discussed issues related to artificial intelligence with their children, according to Pew Research Center data.
This lack of communication raises concerns, says Rachel Barr, a professor of early childhood development at Georgetown University. "It really surprises me," she notes, emphasizing the need for families to collaboratively navigate artificial intelligence.
Emotional Support
The study found that many teenagers make independent decisions about how to use AI. "A small number of children with access to AI use it for social purposes, which may raise concerns for their parents," says Michael Robb, director of research at Common Sense.
Among parents' concerns about using chatbots, the most attention is given to issues of communication with them. Pew Research Center reports that 58% of American parents disapprove of their teenagers using AI for emotional support, while another 20% are unsure about it. Nevertheless, such cases do occur.
Red Flags
According to the American Psychological Association, signs of problematic AI use among teenagers include:
• Referring to AI as their "best friend" or confidant.
• Difficulty when access to AI is unavailable.
• Declining school performance, sleep quality, and real-life friendships.
• Using AI to avoid difficult conversations.
• Noticeable changes in mood, behavior, or thinking.
It is important to seek help immediately if anyone is using AI to discuss self-harm, severe depression, or mental health crises.
"Sometimes I share my feelings or talk about situations that worry me with AI. It helps me look at things from a different perspective," Joseph shares. "It can provide emotional support, but in the end, it's just a machine."
The teenagers I spoke with turned out to be more aware than expected. For example, Joseph realizes that AI can only say what she wants to hear and approaches its advice with caution. Nevertheless, many of them, including her, note that using AI for advice can go too far. Some mentioned the tragic story of a 14-year-old boy who took his own life after obsessive communication with a chatbot.
"One of my friends communicated with AI for a long time," says 16-year-old Kingston Riben from San Diego. "Sometimes we just sat next to him, heard him laugh, and saw him typing something on his phone."
When Pew surveyed teenagers in the U.S., 12% admitted to using AI for advice or emotional support, while 16% used it for communication. These figures, though small, still encompass many children across the country. Significant racial differences are observed in this context.
For instance, 21% of Black teenagers use AI for emotional support, while the figure is 13% among Latinos and 8% among white teenagers. (Data on Asian teenagers did not allow for separate analysis.)
"We see that race itself is significant, even when accounting for other factors like income," asserts Anderson.
Keeping Tabs
Thomas Jerman is a senior technology journalist at the BBC. He writes the Keeping Tabs column and co-hosts the podcast The Interface. In his work, he analyzes the hidden systems that govern users' digital lives and offers advice on more effective interaction with them.
The Pew study did not examine the reasons for these differences. Barr suggests that teenagers who lack sufficient support may turn to AI for help, as it is an accessible resource, but more research is needed for more accurate conclusions.
As long as chatbots exist, people will use them as friends and therapists. The American Psychological Association offers parents recommendations for working with teenagers who use chatbots. Among the main pieces of advice are to ask questions instead of lecturing and to monitor signs that teenagers are using AI as a substitute for human interaction.
Work and Leisure
Among teenagers, habits of using AI are often predictable. "I use it for studying," says 13-year-old Eloise Chu from Chatham, New Jersey. "For example, if I have a math test, I ask it to generate similar questions so I can prepare better."
According to Pew Research Center data, teenagers most often use AI to seek information and academic help. About half of the surveyed teenagers noted that they use AI for research, and many use it for math assistance and writing texts. One in ten teenagers claims to do most of their homework with the help of AI. Teachers, according to teenagers, actively encourage the use of AI while introducing certain restrictions to avoid hindering learning.
However, none of the surveyed teenagers admitted to using AI for cheating. But when asked about other students, the situation changes: 59% of teenagers report to Pew that their classmates use AI for cheating, and 34% claim this happens quite often.
"Some of my classmates openly told the teacher, 'If you don't answer my question, I'll just ask AI!'" shares Riben. His 14-year-old brother Cash also talks about similar cases. "In science class, one guy just copied everything AI told him and then couldn't read his own handwriting," he recounts. "He didn't even remember what he wrote."
Nevertheless, not everything is about studying and cheating: 47% of teenagers stated that they use AI for entertainment. For example, Chu shares that she enjoys creating images of penguins and pancakes — her two favorite things. I promised to try this and can confirm that it is indeed as engaging as she says.
Relationship Issues
The study revealed significant differences in the perception of AI between parents and teenagers, and this is not always bad news. There is a noticeable generational gap, and there are reasons for optimism, as young people are not as uninformed about this issue as one might expect.
According to a Common Sense Media study, 52% of parents believe that using AI in assignments is "unethical and should have consequences." At the same time, the same number of teenagers assert that using AI in studies is "innovative and should be encouraged." Either children are missing something important, or parents do not understand.
"Adults may think that children use AI only for bad purposes, like cheating," says Chu. "But I don't think most do." (Although her mother noted that she doesn't mind how her children use AI.)
Teenagers seem to feel more confident in using these tools. A Common Sense Media study showed that 92% of teenagers can distinguish between interacting with AI and communicating with a live person, while only 73% of parents can do this. According to Pew, nearly 60% of teenagers are confident in their abilities to work with chatbots, and a quarter of them claim to be very confident in this.
"Children are often at the forefront of technology and feel comfortable exploring its possibilities," emphasizes Robb.
Most teenagers do not share adults' pessimistic views on AI. Pew Research reports that 36% of teenagers expect a positive impact of AI on their lives in the long term, while only 15% expect a negative impact.
Parents do not need to have all the answers, says Robb, but they should start asking questions. "You can ask children to demonstrate how they use AI in their lives," he advises. "This will create an opportunity for conversation."
The post Parents think they know how children use AI. But that's not the case first appeared on K-News.
