A recent Pew Research Center survey shows a growing number of young children – some as young as five years old – are using AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini. While traditional screen time for kids remains dominant (90% watch TV, 68% use tablets, 61% use smartphones), AI interaction is steadily rising. The study found that 3% of parents report children aged 5-7 have used a chatbot, increasing to 7% for those aged 8-10 and 15% for 11-12 year-olds.
The Rise of Early AI Exposure
The shift reflects how rapidly AI tools are becoming integrated into everyday life. Nearly one in ten children under 13 has already experimented with chatbots, even as parents grapple with managing their overall screen time. The survey of over 3,000 US parents reveals that 42% feel they could better control their kids’ digital habits, while 58% believe they’re doing the best they can given current challenges.
This isn’t a sudden phenomenon, though. Parents have historically adapted to new technologies – from the early web to smartphones – often with a lag in understanding the risks. The AI chatbot era is no different.
Growing Concerns and Parental Guidance
The use of AI by children has already sparked legal and ethical debate. OpenAI, for example, added parental controls to ChatGPT after a lawsuit claimed the chatbot contributed to a teen suicide. Several states have issued warnings about potentially harmful AI technologies.
Experts emphasize that parental education is crucial. Titania Jordan, chief parent officer at Bark Technologies, argues that parents must understand AI before guiding their children. “Parents should learn all they can about AI… so they can talk to their kids about the potential dangers,” Jordan says.
Risks and What Parents Should Know
The core concern isn’t just exposure to misinformation (though that’s a risk). Children are forming “relationships” with AI personalities, which blurs the lines between human and artificial interaction. Parents should teach kids that chatbots aren’t replacements for real connections and that AI-generated responses aren’t always truthful.
Jordan also suggests showing children real-world examples of how AI has misled or harmed others to drive home the dangers. The early adoption of AI by young children presents both opportunities and risks, making informed parental guidance essential.
As with past technological shifts, adapting to AI requires parents to stay informed and proactively address potential harms. Ignoring the issue won’t make it disappear.
