The rise of AI chatbots is undeniably transforming how kids learn, but are we inadvertently hindering their critical thinking skills? This is the question on everyone's mind as artificial intelligence rapidly integrates into our children's lives. From assisting with homework to sparking conversations, tools like ChatGPT are readily available, and their impact is significant. But is it all positive? Let's dive in.
These AI chatbots, powered by large language models (LLMs), generate human-like responses, which has sparked both excitement and concern among parents, educators, and researchers. A 2024 survey by the Pew Research Center revealed that a staggering 26% of U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 have used ChatGPT for schoolwork. That's double the rate from the previous year! Awareness of these tools has also skyrocketed, jumping from 67% in 2023 to 79% in 2024.
Regulators are taking notice. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has ordered several companies, including OpenAI, Alphabet, and Meta, to explain how their AI chatbots might affect children and teenagers. In response, OpenAI announced it would launch a dedicated ChatGPT experience with parental controls for users under 18 and develop tools to better predict a user's age. The system would automatically direct minors to "a ChatGPT experience with age-appropriate policies."
But here's where it gets controversial... Some experts worry that early exposure to AI may negatively impact how children and teens think and learn. A preliminary 2025 study from MIT's Media Lab examined the cognitive cost of using an LLM in writing essays. Researchers found that brain connectivity decreased with the amount of external support. The study suggests that relying on AI chatbots could lead people to feel less ownership over their work and lead to "cognitive debt," potentially eroding creativity or making users more vulnerable to manipulation.
"The convenience of having this tool today will have a cost at a later date, and most likely it will be accumulated," stated Nataliya Kosmyna, a research scientist at MIT, who led the study. The findings also suggested that relying on LLMs might lead to "significant issues with critical thinking."
Children, in particular, could be at risk. Researchers agree that it's crucial for anyone, especially the youth, to develop skills and knowledge before relying on AI tools. "Develop the skill for yourself [first], even if you are not becoming an expert in it," advises Kosmyna. This approach allows for easier detection of inconsistencies and AI hallucinations, which, in turn, supports critical thinking development.
"For younger children ... I would imagine that it is very important to limit the use of generative AI, because they just really need more opportunities to think critically and independently," adds Pilyoung Kim, a professor at the University of Denver and child psychology expert.
There are also privacy risks that children may not be aware of, and it's essential to use these tools responsibly and safely. "We do need to teach overall, not just AI literacy, but [also] computer literacy," says Kosmyna. "You need really clear tech hygiene." Children also have a higher tendency to anthropomorphize, attributing human characteristics to non-human entities. "Now we have these machines that talk just like a human," Kim points out, which can put children in vulnerable situations.
The AI-native generation is growing up with these tools, and experts are asking: "What happens with extended use?" "It's too early [to know]. No one is doing studies on three-year-olds, of course, but it's something very important to keep in mind that we do need to understand what happens to the brains of those who ... are using these tools very young," says Kosmyna.
Kosmyna and Kim believe that regulators and tech companies share the responsibility to protect society and young people by implementing the right safeguards. For parents, the advice is simple: maintain open communication with your kids and monitor the AI tools they use, including what they input into the LLMs.
What are your thoughts? Do you think the benefits of AI chatbots outweigh the risks for children? Share your opinions in the comments below!
