Nicholas Munkbhatter began using ChatGPT shortly after the release of the Artificial Intelligence Chatbot in late 2022. He was 14 years old at the time.
At first, I thought Munkbhatter, a native of Sacramento, California, was amazing. But then he realized, “I'm just giving the answer without going through the actual learning process.
Many children and teens use other generative artificial intelligence models, such as ChatGpt and Google Gemini, from dealing with mathematics homework to dealing with mental health crises, often with little or little instruction from adults. Education and child development experts say parents must take the lead to help parents understand this new technology.
“It's important to have a conversation now about the ethical and responsible use of AI, and if you're a parent, you need to be a part of it,” says Marc Watkins, a lecturer at the University of Mississippi who studies AI and its impact on education.
Although early evidence suggests that technology is possible If precisely unfolded about teenagers who committed suicide after talking to AI chatbots, they will strengthen student learning to strengthen ongoing research and stories.
Experts share advice on how to talk to children about AI, including potential benefits and harms.
Start a conversation early
Brooch the conversations that children have when they are primary school age, Watkins says before they meet AI through friends in school and other spaces.
To guide these discussions, Watkins learn about AI every week on budget times and try out the tools yourself. That might mean listening to podcasts, reading newsletters, and experimenting with platforms like ChatGpt.
To explain how AI works to your kids, Watkins is Quick, Draw! I recommend playing Google games. The player receives a drawing prompt, and the game's neural network tries to guess what it draws by recognizing patterns of doodles from thousands of other players.
Watkins says that AI is a way to show children that it is as good as the data they are trained to. It mimics how humans write and create content, but doesn't think or understand things the way people do.
Use AI together
As technology is still evolving, parents often learn about it with their children. Ying Xu, an assistant professor at Harvard School of Education who studies AI, says it can be used as an opportunity for parents to explore together.
For example, the next time your child asks a question, enter it into an AI chatbot and discuss the response, says Xu. “Did that help? What was it felt? How do you think this reaction was produced?”
Parents should also strengthen the possibility that AI can make mistakes. Xu says parents can teach their children to use other sources to fact-check the information that AI chatbots provide.
Explore that possibility
If your child is using AI to help with homework, open your mind.
Research shows that some AI tools can have a positive impact on learning. Xu worked with PBS Kids to design a digital version powered by interactive AI from the popular Kids Shows. She found that children who watched the AI version were more enthusiastic and learned more compared to children who watched the traditional broadcast version of the show.
meanwhile, Munkbhatter, a teenager in Sacramento, says AI is a helpful aid and brainstorming partner.
Now, if he gets caught up in a challenging math problem, he asks ChatGpt:
Munkbhatter also says he will provide his class notes to ChatGpt and ask him to quiz him on the subject. “I make sure it gives the question itself at the same time, not the question and the answer.”
Understanding the risks
It is still unclear how generative AI will affect child development in the long term, but there are some current risks.
Dr. Darja Djorjevich, a professor at Stanford University's Brainstorming: Mental Health Innovation Stanford Lab, works with the group's common sense media to study how popular AI models respond to users who show symptoms of mental disorders affecting teenagers. Although the study has not been published yet, Djordjevic shared some of her findings with NPR.
“What we found was that AI chatbots can provide excellent general mental health information, but we demonstrated the gaps in recognizing serious conditions,” says Djordjevic.
Sometimes, AI chatbots provided unsafe answers to questions and statements about self-harm, substance use, body image or eating disorders, and risk-taking behaviors. She also says she produced sexually explicit content.
NPR contacted Openai, the company behind ChatGpt about these concerns. We were directed to a recent post on the company's website, where Openai says “we continue to improve the way models recognize and respond to signs of mental and mental distress and connect people with care.”
According to the post, ChatGpt is trained to direct users to professional help to express their intent to commit suicide.
Warning signs include children who spend too much time on AI and spend more time on their devices alone or talking as if the AI chatbot was a real friend.
“This is a warning sign that conversations about these are AI tools and we need to raise people again,” says Jjordjevic.
Set reasonable family rules around AI
You may wonder how to enforce these boundaries at home. Experts share their tips.
AI will collaborate with your child to write rulessays djordjevic. Identify the safe use of AI together, like homework help as a parental supervision or creative outlet, and limit the time your child will use. And check in regularly to see how AI uses make your child feel.
Don't prohibit your child from using AI – but set limits. “The ban generally doesn't work, especially in teens,” says Watkins. “What works is to have a conversation with them, put structures around these things and understand them. Parents should feel that their children are hurting themselves and that they should be empowered to ban obviously dangerous uses, like when AI chatbots encourage behavior, says Djordjevic.
Make time for real life. Djordjevic said stay away from your device and prioritize spending time outside with real people. This includes joining a sports team and schedules for regular family activities.
Trust that your conversations make a difference. Just as overwhelmed by how much parents might feel like navigating AI, Watkins emphasizes that spending time talking to a child can have a real impact. “They don't remember the ads from the AI chatbot.
The life kit for this episode was produced by Claire Marie Schneider. Edited by Malaka Gharib. The visual editor is Beck Harlan.
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