Should Kids Use AI for Homework?

According to my 14-year-old niece, teens hate using AI — except for homework. This isn’t hard evidence, but it still raises uncomfortable questions. 

School districts are increasingly imposing moratoriums on AI, but it’s now embedded in our lives in ways that make preventing kids from using it complicated. 

This article addresses three questions: Should kids use AI for homework? Can we actually stop them? And how do we teach them to use it safely and responsibly?  

The risks of kids using AI for homework 

Early research suggests that the risks of kids using AI for education outweigh the benefits, and some experts suggest kids should never use generative AI. Here are some of the risks of letting kids use AI for homework without guardrails:

It may change their brains in irreparable ways 

A report by the Brookings Institution's Center for Universal Education asserts that students who offload too much of their own thinking to AI can experience cognitive decline or atrophy at a level more commonly seen in aging brains. 

Research on this is in its infancy, but kids who overuse AI may miss the critical developmental window for certain cognitive skills, and these skills may not be recoverable later.  

Reduces necessary friction

Struggling to figure out a math problem or craft an essay is an essential component to the learning process. Using AI to eliminate that friction also reduces the learning opportunity. 

It’s still wrong a shocking amount of the time

Analysis by the New York Times found that Google’s AI overview produces tens of millions of incorrect answers per hour. 

The hidden AI problem 

Banning Claude or ChatGPT doesn’t actually stop kids from using AI. The technology is now so embedded in everyday products that kids no longer have to seek out AI; AI finds them. 

• Google Overview and AI mode: Google automatically generates AI summaries at the top of most searches, and clicking over to AI mode gives kids instant access to an AI chatbot. Neither can be turned off, and both were given an “unacceptable risk” rating by Common Sense Media. 
• Software integration: Common software used by students like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Canva, and PowerPoint have built-in generative AI capabilities. 
• AI-generated web content: Informational websites students use for research may well include content generated or informed by AI and may not be labeled as such. 

Teaching kids to use AI critically

Since zero exposure is impossible, the goal then becomes teaching kids AI literacy and critical thinking. These tips help them avoid some of the AI pitfalls:

Help them understand AI’s limitations and risks

Kids need to know what they’re up against. Explain your concerns (and those of experts). Help your child see AI as a tool, not an infallible replacement for human expertise and judgment. 

Give them an AI-free search engine 

Alternative search engines like DuckDuckGo offer an AI-free option, and Startpage uses Google search results without AI mode or overviews. 

Emphasize the importance of verifying facts

Use reputable sources to verify any information provided by AI. That might mean cross-checking information with established news organizations, and looking beyond the headlines — for example, if an AI answer is pulling a statistic, double-check that the statistic actually exists and is accurate.

Encourage a diverse range of research tools 

Don’t sleep on other research tools like school and public libraries, news outlets, Google Scholar, and academic institution websites. 

Turn on ChatGPT study mode

ChatGPT study mode uses guided reasoning versus instant answers. In my testing, I found it was easy to convince it to do the work for me by telling it I was checking my answers, but it’s a better option than using ChatGPT without study mode. 

Introduce alternative chatbots 

The big players aren’t the only bots in the game. This chatbot from Critical Thinking Labs was designed to encourage critical thinking. Like ChatGPT study mode, it’s not a perfect solution, but it guides users to deepen their process and is far less eager to do the work for you than its counterparts. 

Foster curiosity

Encourage your child’s curiosity and help them follow their interests. The Brookings Institution report suggests that students are less inclined to have AI do homework for them if they feel engaged by the work. 

Model critical thinking 

As parents, we need to develop and model our own critical thinking skills around AI. Here are some excellent resources to guide you.

How BrightCanary can help you teach your child to use AI responsibly 

BrightCanary is a child monitoring app that helps you keep track of: 

• What your child searches on Google, including what they ask the built-in AI chatbot, Gemini
• What AI apps they’re using, whether it’s one you’ve heard of (like ChatGPT) or one you’d rather that not use (like Character.ai or Polybuzz)
• What kind of questions they’re asking chatbots — and when those questions verge into red-flag territory, like questions about self-harm or emotional dependency

This information is valuable as you guide them to use AI responsibly. For more tips, download our free downloadable AI toolkit for parents.

AI is increasingly unavoidable for kids when doing homework. That’s because it’s embedded into search results and common software. 

Because of the risks of using AI for homework, such as missing the critical window for developing cognitive skills and the potential to reduce learning, you should take steps to help your child learn AI critical thinking skills. 

Fostering curiosity, modeling critical thinking in how you use AI, and encouraging them to explore diverse research tools are some of the ways you can support your child as they navigate AI in their education.

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