AI Chatbot Use Grows Among Young Children, Raising Parental Concerns
Key Points
- Children as young as kindergarten are using AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini.
- Chatbot usage rises with age: 3% (5‑7 years), 7% (8‑10 years), 15% (11‑12 years).
- Around 40% of under‑12 children also use voice assistants such as Alexa or Siri.
- Traditional screen media still dominate: TV (90%), tablets (68%), smartphones (61%).
- 42% of parents say they could improve screen‑time management; 58% feel they are doing their best.
- OpenAI introduced parental controls after a lawsuit linking a chatbot to a teen suicide.
- Several U.S. states have issued warnings to AI firms about potential harms to children.
- Bark Technologies’ Titania Jordan urges parents to learn about AI and discuss its risks with kids.
- Experts recommend using parental‑control tools and teaching children that AI is not a human substitute.
A recent survey finds that children as young as kindergarten are experimenting with AI chatbots such as ChatGPT and Gemini. Usage rates increase with age, reaching 15% among 11- to 12‑year‑olds, while 40% of parents report their under‑12 children using voice assistants like Alexa or Siri. Overall screen engagement remains high, with television, tablets and smartphones dominating daily use. Parents acknowledge difficulty managing this new digital frontier, especially after OpenAI introduced parental controls following a lawsuit alleging a chatbot’s role in a teen suicide. Experts urge parents to educate themselves about AI risks and to guide children on responsible interaction.
Rise of AI Chatbot Use Among Young Children
A new Pew Research survey reveals that AI chatbots are no longer limited to adults. Families report that children as young as kindergarten are engaging with tools like ChatGPT and Gemini. The data shows that 3% of parents say their 5‑ to 7‑year‑old children have used a chatbot, 7% for ages 8 to 10, and 15% for ages 11 to 12. In parallel, about 40% of parents indicate that their children under 12 also utilize voice assistants such as Alexa and Siri.
The broader picture of screen time shows that traditional media still dominate. Television reaches 90% of children in this age group, tablets 68%, and smartphones 61%. These figures underscore that AI interaction is a modest yet growing slice of a largely screen‑driven lifestyle.
Parental Management Challenges
Parents acknowledge the difficulty of keeping pace with rapidly evolving technology. While 58% feel they are doing the best they can, 42% admit they could better manage their kids’ screen time. The emergence of AI chatbots adds a new layer of complexity, prompting many families to reassess existing digital‑use policies.
Industry responses have begun to address these concerns. OpenAI added parental controls to ChatGPT after a lawsuit alleged that the chatbot contributed to a 16‑year‑old’s suicide. Additionally, several U.S. states have issued warnings to AI companies about potential harms to children.
Industry and Legal Responses
OpenAI’s rollout of parental controls reflects a broader trend of technology firms responding to legal pressure and public scrutiny. The lawsuit that sparked the change highlights the growing accountability expectations placed on AI providers. State warnings further signal that regulators are monitoring AI’s impact on younger users and may consider additional safeguards.
Expert Guidance for Parents
Titania Jordan, chief parent officer at Bark Technologies, emphasizes that parents need to become educated about AI, chatbots and digital companions before guiding their children. She advises that children should understand that AI personalities are not substitutes for human interaction and that not everything an AI says should be trusted. Jordan recommends demonstrating real‑world examples where other children were misled or harmed by AI, helping families recognize potential dangers.
While chatbots can assist with schoolwork or creative projects, the formation of relationships with AI‑generated personalities remains a point of concern. Parents are encouraged to maintain open dialogue, set clear boundaries, and leverage available parental‑control tools to safeguard their children’s digital experiences.