A recent survey revealed that 77 percent of Indian children use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools for educational purposes, while 20 percent use them for personal interests and a smaller fraction (2 percent) for socio-emotional support and life skills. These findings were based on a report titled “Improving Children’s Learning and Critical Thinking Skills in the Era of Generative AI” conducted by public policy research firm Gateway Consulting.
The report, targeted at parents across major urban centres in India including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, aimed to offer practical recommendations for parents and educators to ensure responsible use in support of children’s learning.
Key concerns in the report include the risks associated with children’s use of GenAI, such as the potential for hidden biases, over-reliance on AI-generated information, inaccuracies, and lack of socio-emotional understanding. In addition, issues related to age verification and child safety were highlighted. In response to these challenges, the report offers comprehensive guidance for parents and educators, focusing on three main areas: understanding GenAI, educating children about its capabilities and limitations, and providing guidance on its effective use.
What do children over 10 years old use GenAI for?
The survey focused on children aged four and older who had access to devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets or computers. The study found that the majority of children (60 percent) aged ten and older accessed GenAI at least once a week.
When asked the purpose of accessing GenAI, about 77 percent said it was for educational purposes, such as understanding topics, subjects and concepts (35 percent), acquiring general knowledge (26 percent) and completing assignments (12 percent).
About 20 percent used it to talk about hobbies and personal interests. Among them, about 12 percent used the tools to improve language and vocabulary, and 8 percent of whites used it to explore interests such as sports, games, music and books.
While only 2 percent used GenAI to receive social and emotional support when dealing with “life situations.”
Parents don’t know how to guide their children in GenAI
Despite the widespread use of GenAI among children, the report reveals a significant lack of guidance, with 61 percent of parents admitting they do not provide guidance on responsible use. This highlights the need for informed strategies to harness the potential of GenAI while mitigating its risks.
Parents expressed mixed feelings about GenAI’s potential to improve critical thinking. While 37 percent acknowledged its benefits, 26 percent were skeptical and 37 percent were neutral about it. Notably, even among this educated, urban demographic, 61 percent of parents admitted to not guiding their children on how to use GenAI responsibly.
Exploring the impact of GenAI on education
Commenting on the survey results, Tushar Gandhi, Founder, Gateway Consulting, said, “Our research reveals both the immense potential and challenges that GenAI poses for children’s learning and critical thinking. While GenAI can help children achieve various learning goals, they need to be guided on how to use these tools responsibly and develop their independent critical thinking skills.”
“GenAI tools should not be seen as inherently good or bad, but as tools to enhance our learning and critical thinking. People are prone to become complacent and dependent on them, so it is important that we know how to use them responsibly. We need a step-by-step guide on how we can use GenAI to our advantage and to support our thinking capabilities,” said Mansi Kedia, Senior Fellow, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER).
First published: August 22, 2024 | 15:33 IS
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