Chances are, your child is already using Artificial Intelligence (AI). While AI has potential benefits like brainstorming ideas and helping generate study questions, the technology also presents risks such as false information, opportunities for cheating, and cyberbullying. That’s why it’s essential to help your child learn to use AI in a way that’s positive, productive, and ethical.
Here are some of the ways kids are already using AI, the pros and cons, and how to help them use it responsibly.
How are kids using AI?
Many adults associate kids using AI with cheating on schoolwork. While that’s definitely a reality, it’s not as common as many assume, and it’s far from the only way kids use the technology.
Here are some other ways kids use AI:
Get information. Many kids (and adults) now use generative AI in place of traditional search engines or rely on the AI-generated responses provided inside search engines.
Brainstorming. Kids may not use AI to write entire papers as often as adults think, but they certainly use it to generate ideas and kickstart their writing process.
Homework help. AI can also be used to outline essays, proofread homework, and generate practice exam questions.
Answers to tough questions. In studies, kids report asking AI questions that the adults in their lives won’t answer or seeking advice on things they’re too afraid to ask.
Friendship. A surprising number of teens turn to AI chatbots in search of companionship.
What are the upsides of kids using AI?
Here are a few benefits to letting your child use AI:
Learning important skills for the future. Whether or not they choose to use AI, kids need to at least know how to use it in order to thrive in a society and workplaces where the technology is increasingly integrated.
Productivity. AI can help your teen brainstorm concepts, outline projects, and proofread their work, among other potential tasks.
Enhanced learning. AI can supplement traditional learning methods by creating personalized learning plans, identifying where a student needs additional practice, and creating tailored study exercises.
What are the downsides of kids using AI?
Despite the benefits, there are significant concerns about AI that parents need to know:
Deepfakes. AI can be used to create photos or videos that make it appear as if a real person did or said something they didn't. Deepfake nudes are an increasing problem among teens.
Cyberbullying. Generative AI can be used for the rapid creation and dissemination of material intended to harass or bully.
False information. AI is infamous for periodically offering users incorrect answers, also known as hallucinations.
Dangerous advice. From possibly lethal information about how to treat rattlesnake bites to dieting tips given to people seeking support for eating disorders, AI has been known to give harmful advice to users.
Bias. Because AI is trained on human-generated content and humans are biased, those biases are baked into many AI systems.
Stunted development of necessary skills. If kids rely too heavily on AI, they miss out on the opportunity to develop important skills such as critical thinking and independent problem solving.
Ethical concerns. From plagiarism to intellectual property theft, AI raises potential ethical concerns that kids and parents need to consider.
How can I help my child use AI?
You play an important role in helping your child learn to use AI responsibly. Here are some tips:
Treat them as an expert
Ask your child how they use AI and the benefits and problems they find with it. In many cases, kids are already more critical and savvy users of AI than adults.
Teach them to think critically
Rather than just taking AI at face value, kids need to learn to think critically about how they use it, the validity of the information it provides, and the biases it includes.
Discourage overreliance
Outsourcing everything to AI can weaken the learning benefits your child gains from completing an assignment. Encourage them to try to solve a problem or brainstorm an idea on their own first before turning to AI for support.
Caution against problematic use
Be clear that these AI habits are not okay:
Copying and pasting answers from AI. This compromises their learning potential and could result in unintentional plagiarism.
Using AI to cheat on schoolwork. Not only could this get your child in big trouble at school, but it also means they aren’t learning from the assignment.
Creating deepfakes. Creating deepfakes is unethical and can be very harmful to the person depicted in the image or video.
Encourage them not to give AI too much power
Kids have the opportunity to carefully consider the ways they want (or don’t want) AI to be a part of their lives. Encourage them to actively question the role of AI in their life and work to find a balance that feels right for them.
In short
Engaging with AI has potential benefits for kids, but it also comes with many risks. Parents need to talk with their child about AI and help guide them toward responsible use.
Curious about what your child is searching on AI platforms? BrightCanary is coming out with a new update that will monitor your child’s most-used apps, including what they prompt AI platforms. Download BrightCanary on the App Store and be the first to know about it.
