How Parents and Their Kids Differ on Their View of Teen AI Use

Artificial intelligence has moved from sci-fi buzzword to everyday reality, and families are already trying to figure out what it means for their kids’ futures. The only snag? It’s all happening so rapidly. A new report from Common Sense Media examining attitudes toward AI among parents and teens ages 12 to 17 suggests that while families see enormous potential in the technology, they’re also navigating a complicated mix of optimism, concern, and uncertainty. We can all relate.

Here are some other findings from the latest Common Sense Media report.

Families Expect AI to Reshape Daily Life

Parents overwhelmingly believe artificial intelligence will fundamentally reshape society. Nearly two-thirds (65%) say AI will change life as dramatically as the internet or electricity, ushering in a completely new era. Teens largely share that view, but with more optimism. More than half of kids and teens believe AI will help society in both the short term (56%) and the long term (57%). Parents, meanwhile, are more divided: about 46% believe AI will help society in the near future, while 45% think it could hurt.

That generational gap reflects a broader pattern in the report. Teens tend to view AI as an opportunity, while parents are more cautious about its risks. Still, both groups believe AI will become deeply embedded in everyday life. Seven in 10 parents and six in 10 teens think that by the time today’s kids are adults, people will be so dependent on AI they won’t be able to function without it.

Teens Already Use AI More Than Parents Realize

Another takeaway from the report is that many parents misunderstand how kids actually use AI. (So, listen up!) While about half of parents say they use AI tools regularly, about two-thirds of teens say they use them at least sometimes.

Parents also tend to assume teens are using AI for creative or social purposes, like generating images or seeking companionship. In reality, teens report using it mostly for practical reasons, like searching for information (59%) and getting help with homework or school assignments (55%).

Other recent research suggests AI is already becoming a routine tool for teens. A 2025 survey from the Pew Research Center found that roughly two-thirds of teens report using AI chatbots, and many say they turn to them for help with schoolwork, brainstorming ideas, or researching topics also. The survey highlights how quickly generative AI tools have become integrated into teens’ daily academic lives — often faster than schools and parents have adapted to guide their use.

The disconnect highlights how quickly AI tools have integrated into teens’ daily routines, often faster than parents realize. Plus, perhaps how parents underestimate their kids’ responsible use of AI.

AI in School Is Where Families Disagree Most

Education may be the biggest point of tension between parents and teens. More than half of teens (58%) believe AI will positively impact their learning. Parents are far less convinced. Only 41% think AI will help kids academically. That divide extends to how AI should be used for schoolwork. Half of parents say using AI on assignments is unethical and should carry consequences, while half of teens say it’s innovative and should be encouraged.

Despite the disagreement, both groups agree that schools should teach students how to use AI responsibly. About 68% of teens and 52% of parents say schools have a role in guiding responsible AI use.

Both Groups Are Concerned About Creativity

There’s also one concern both groups share: creativity. Seventy percent of parents and 62% of teens worry that heavy reliance on AI could make kids less creative.

The concern suggests everyone is still figuring out where AI fits into learning and development. While many see AI as a helpful tool for brainstorming ideas or explaining complex topics, there’s anxiety that outsourcing too much thinking to technology could weaken skills that traditionally grow through effort, experimentation, and problem-solving.

Parents Worry Most About Safety and Privacy

If parents are cautious about AI, safety concerns are a major reason why. We’ve written about this before. A majority say they’re worried about issues like AI collecting kids’ personal data without their knowledge, misusing that data, or impersonating people online.

At the same time, many parents admit they don’t fully understand the technology their kids may already be using. Fifty-eight percent say they know little or nothing about the safety features built into AI tools for teens.  Moreover, these features make it harder for families to understand and set boundaries or guide responsible use.

Families Want Guardrails and More Transparency

Despite their differences, parents and teens agree on one major solution: stronger oversight. About three-quarters of both groups support creating a government body responsible for AI safety, and large majorities back policies like requiring safety testing for AI tools before they’re released to minors and clearly labeling AI-generated content.

Parents across political parties also support stronger regulations. Nearly seven in ten say laws should require companies to make AI systems safer for young users rather than relying on voluntary guidelines. In other words, families aren’t rejecting AI, but they want clear rules as the technology becomes part of everyday life.

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, parents and teens seem to agree on one thing: the future will include AI. The real question is how families, schools, and policymakers will shape that future so it benefits kids instead of putting them at risk.