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A new survey by the Pew Research Center reveals a significant rise in AI usage among children in the United States, raising concerns among experts about its potential impact on development. The survey indicates that four out of ten parents report their children, aged 12 or younger, use voice assistants like Alexa and Siri. Additionally, about one in ten parents say their children aged five to 12 have used AI tools such as ChatGPT and Google's Gemini.
The use of AI in education is also growing, with 26% of U.S. teens admitting to using ChatGPT for schoolwork, a figure that has doubled since 2023, according to Pew Research. While AI can assist in problem-solving, experts warn that reliance on AI may hinder children's natural curiosity and motivation to learn independently. A study from Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon University found that over-reliance on AI can worsen cognitive thinking skills.
Concerns extend beyond education. A Digital Trends report highlights that the rapid integration of AI into everyday platforms like YouTube and school apps is outpacing parents' ability to adapt. This fast-paced adoption of AI makes it challenging to distinguish between healthy exploration and AI dependence.
Americans are generally wary of AI's broader impact on society. According to a Pew Research Center study, 53% of U.S. adults believe AI will worsen people's ability to think creatively, while 50% think it will negatively affect forming meaningful relationships. The study also shows that a majority of adults desire more control over AI's use in their lives.
As AI continues to become a staple in children's digital lives, the challenge remains for parents and educators to find a balance between leveraging AI's benefits and safeguarding against its potential drawbacks.