Exploring the Uncharted Territory of AI: How Teens Are Leading the Way

In 2022, Gillian Hayes and Candice L. Odgers from UC Irvine initiated a national survey to investigate AI usage among teens, parents, and educators. This project aimed to clarify shifting attitudes toward AI as reliance on the technology grows. Findings revealed that while many adolescents are aware of AI’s potential dangers, only about 7% used it daily, primarily via search engines rather than chatbots. Ethical concerns emerged, with teens grappling to understand the boundaries between acceptable and unacceptable use. Surprisingly, the survey indicated minimal equity gaps among AI users, suggesting that the novelty of AI diminished the usual disparities in technology access. Parents exhibited varied understanding of AI’s capabilities, impacting their ability to guide their children. The study advocates for clear school policies on AI usage, proposing frameworks like SAFE—Safe, Accountable, Fair, and Effective—to help educators navigate this new landscape responsibly while preparing students for future workforce demands.

Source link