Students and families could use more guidance from their schools on how to use AI. They already use the technology at home with little to no structure because their parents are out of the loop. Here’s why that matters.
This school year, we’re seeing leaders harness the power of artificial intelligence in ways unimaginable two-plus years ago. From security technologies to edtech, AI has proven itself instrumental to impactful and engaging learning opportunities.
At least 70% of students ages 13-18 have used at least one type of generative AI tool, new research from Common Sense Media reveals. Most often, they’re using it for homework help (53%), to cure boredom (42%) and translate languages (41%).
Additionally, here are some of the most common types of platforms teens are using:
- 56% of teens use search engines with AI-generated results, including Bind, Google SGE or Brave Summarizer.
- 51% have used chatbots/text generators such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini or Snap’s My AI.
- 34% have used image generators like DALL-E, Photoshop AI or Bing Image Creator.
- 22% of teens have used AI video generators, including Midjourney, Stable Diffusion or Google VideoPoet.
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Most notably, a significant number of students (41%) who used artificial intelligence for homework did so with their teacher’s permission. Nearly the same percentage of students (46%) used the technology for an assignment without their teacher’s knowledge.
Similarly, many parents are unaware of their child’s generative AI use. Only 37% of parents whose teens reported using at least one gen AI tool thought their child had already used the technology. Just 45% of parents have discussed gen AI with their children.
Finally, nearly 60% of students said their schools have no guidelines for gen AI, or they’re unaware of any such rules. Eighty-three percent of parents have heard nothing from their children’s schools about the technology.
“The findings tell us that young people are quickly understanding the potential of generative AI platforms, perhaps without fully grasping the pitfalls, which underscores the need for adults to talk with teens about AI,” said Amanda Lenhart, head of research at Common Sense Media.
We encourage you to look closely at the report here to better understand how your students—and parents—are addressing artificial intelligence.
