Christine Elgersma
Senior Editor, Learning Content Strategy
Parents and caregivers have questions about artificial intelligence, so be ready with these answers.
Artificial intelligence is everywhere: Kids are using bots for homework, for fun, and even for advice or companionship. You may be exploring it yourself, either for your own projects or for use in your classroom. Some parents and caregivers may be using it as well, but there are plenty of families who don't yet have enough information (or access), aren't aware if their kids are using AI, or want to know more about your classroom's and/or school's AI policy.
Because AI is evolving in real time, it might feel tricky to address concerns from parents and caregivers. But even as artificial intelligence continues to develop, there are concrete answers you can deliver with confidence.
Below, you'll find advice you can give when speaking with parents and caregivers. Then you'll see copy-and-paste tips you can include in messages home and linked resources to share.
In Conversation with Caregivers
Question: Are kids really using AI? What are they using it for?
- Yes! Our research shows that seven in 10 teens have used a generative AI tool in some form, and about one in three kids age eight or younger have used an AI tool for learning. 72% of teens have used AI companions.
- It's also important to remember that AI is embedded into lots of technology we use, like smart home voice assistants, facial recognition, and algorithms.
- Kids are curious, so if they have access to AI tools, they'll likely want to try them.
- In addition to ChatGPT, there are lots of sites and apps that include some form of generative AI, including companion chatbots. And social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat have bots baked into them.
- With apps like Sora, it's very easy to create "deepfakes," which are videos that feature real people, that look authentic, but are AI-generated. There are also apps—often advertised on social media—that can create AI-generated nude images and videos of people without their consent. Teens have used these apps and faced serious consequences
Question: Should I let my kid use AI? If so, what should I know?
- Most AI tools aren't built with kids in mind, and their terms of use require users to be 13 or older. Some require users to be 18 or older to create an account, although that requirement just means inputting a date of birth, which is easy to lie about.
- If kids are using social media, they're using AI in the form of algorithms. Though social media algorithms aim to personalize content to keep you scrolling, they often serve up content a user didn't ask for. For example, 68% of boys are shown content about masculinity, even if they never looked for it. It's important to be aware of the content your kid is seeing—and the messages being conveyed—because of AI-driven algorithms.
- There are good reasons for limitations: Protecting personal information and avoiding bias, mature content, and misinformation are just a few. And our risk assessment for AI companion chatbots found that kids should not use them.
- For learning and schoolwork, important factors include the tool, the purpose, and the school's or teacher's AI policy.
- Generally speaking, it's not recommended for kids under 13 to use generative AI, and tweens and teens should have foundational AI literacy, limited access, and clear expectations before its use.
- When thinking about being prepared for their futures, AI literacy is essential: Understanding what it is, how it works, how it can be useful, and what the limitations and pitfalls are is the place to start.
Question: Are kids allowed to use AI for school? How about in your class?
The answers to these questions rely heavily on several factors: the age of your students, your school's AI policy, your classroom's AI guidelines, and possibly specific assignments. Being clear about these factors is important so students and caregivers understand what to expect and what's allowed
- Refer families to your school's AI policy and classroom guidelines. Families can stay informed by asking questions—and school administration proactively prepare to have answers.
- Remind students and families that kids need to develop foundational knowledge, skills, and creativity, at school and at home, without the help of AI. So parents and caregivers need to encourage this development and model intentional AI use, if they're applying these tools themselves.
- If your classroom expectations vary based on specific assignments, make sure students know when and how generative AI use is allowed.
- Even if you don't allow students to use generative AI to complete assignments, it's a good idea to spell out the specifics: Can they use it for brainstorming? Editing? Eliminating confusion before assigning can prevent problems.
- Also, if you are using AI tools for lesson planning, grading, or some other purpose, it's important to communicate how and why. Consider student and family privacy, as well as the invisible influences tools can have when employing them for family engagement and other high-stakes uses.
Question: Is there anything else I should know about AI?
- Kids are using generative AI—whether or not they should—so we don't have the option to ignore it.
- Generative AI will continue to develop and be integrated into other tech tools. This doesn't mean we have to use these tools, but we should understand them so we can help our kids stay safe, informed, and maintain their well-being.
Copy & Paste Tips
- AI comes in many forms, including algorithms, facial recognition, generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT, and companion bots. Some forms are embedded in other technology we use, and some aren't. Understanding the influence of AI in all its forms helps us use it in ways that serve us and protect our well-being.
- Because algorithms often serve content to kids that they didn't ask for, it's important to check in with kids who use social media about the content they're seeing. Where does the algorithm take them, and what messages does that content convey? Find out!
- Research shows that kids are using AI, so it's important that we all—students, families, and educators—have a basic understanding of what it is, how it works, and its uses and risks. This understanding is often called AI literacy, and there are free resources to learn more, whether or not you have tech skills.
- AI companion bots are risky, particularly if we use them for advice or support. Kids are especially vulnerable to these risks, so it's best for kids and teens to avoid AI companion bots and instead find belonging and empathy from other human beings.
- Though kids have always found shortcuts for school assignments, generative AI makes this especially easy. But when policies and expectations are clear, it's less likely for students to unintentionally overuse AI and face accusations of plagiarism.
Resources to Share
Christine Elgersma is Senior Editor, Learning Content, Strategy which means she manages the newsletter about learning, edits writing about learning, and loves to learn. Before coming to Common Sense, she helped create ELA curriculum for a K-12 app and taught the youth of America as a high school teacher, a community college teacher, a tutor, and a special education instructional aide for about 18 years. Christine is also a writer, primarily of fiction and essays, and loves to read all manner of books. When she's not putting on a spontaneous vaudeville show with her daughter, Christine loves nature, music, and almost any form of dark chocolate.
