Story Title:
Kids rely on AI before adults for homework help, health and personal problems, study finds
June 10, 2026
Download featured image
Many children and teens are turning to artificial intelligence for help with homework, questions about their health and body and personal problems before turning to an adult, according to a new national survey from Common Sense Media.
The report, which surveyed 1,204 children nationwide, found that nearly 9 in 10 kids age 9 to 17 use or interact with AI, including about 1 in 4 who do so on a daily basis. Children used AI primarily for entertainment, schoolwork and creative uses such as generating images and videos, with about half seeking information about their health or body and advice about future goals and decisions.
Nearly a quarter of children said they would turn to AI for help with schoolwork or homework before seeking guidance from a teacher, counselor or parent. Those who struggled more with math skills, writing essays and working on something challenging were more likely to use AI weekly or more for schoolwork.
“You can exploit AI to do all your assignments from school, and use multiple AIs to make it look handmade,” one respondent told researchers.
Researchers also raised concerns about AI dependency, with 20% of children who use AI saying it would be difficult to stop using AI for a month — rising to 42% among daily users.
About 1 in 10 kids agreed that they sometimes feel AI understands them better than most people do, with 19% of daily users feeling that way. Kids who reported feeling lonelier were also more likely to use AI more frequently for social and emotional support, with those who had a harder time making friends more likely to use chatbots to practice social skills and discuss personal feelings or problems.
“We see tweens and teens are using these tools to create, to learn, to laugh, and to relate,” said the report. “But downsides lurk; heavier use of these tools is associated with loneliness and less happiness in young people. This could be because lonely or unhappy teens are seeking support from AI, or because an overreliance on AI is displacing healthy coping skills.”
Researchers also found gaps in AI literacy and safety education. Nearly half of children had not discussed AI safety with parents or teachers, and only about a third correctly understood that AI cannot reliably distinguish true and false information. And when a chatbot showed something inappropriate to 1 in 6 children who use AI, most did not tell a trusted adult about it.
“Despite this evidence showing a need for more support, teens report that the rules guiding AI use are still being developed even as the journey is already underway,” the report said, “and that conversations about AI safety are still missing from many classrooms and dinner tables.”
Many children also said they understood AI better than adults.
“Adults seem to have a hard time knowing which videos or reels are real or AI. I have to tell my mom it’s fake a lot,” one respondent told researchers.
EdSource is dedicated to covering in California and nationally. Other publications may republish EdSource articles, online or in print, at no charge, provided adherence to our guidelines. The embed code provided here includes a tracking pixel to enable us to measure the reach of our stories. It must be included in any online pickup of EdSource stories.
The following guidelines apply to all EdSource content, including stories, podcasts and video:
Editing stories: Trimming stories for length or adding additional localized reporting is allowed. However, if you wish to make material edits, please contact EdSource for approval prior to publication. Please reach out to Andrew and Smita at republish@edsource.org with questions.
Crediting EdSource: Authors and EdSource should be credited in the byline with a link back to the original article. (This is in the embed code. Please be sure to include it.)
Monetization: EdSource stories cannot be sold, but it’s OK to put EdSource articles on pages with ads.
Photos and graphics: Assets such as photos and graphics must be added manually. Photos taken by EdSource staff may be republished, but some images, such as those from third-party providers (Associated Press, iStock), may not be republished without permission or payment. Proceed with caution. You may also run your own photos with the EdSource story. On occasion, EdSource editors may be able to provide partners with embed codes for graphics or localized data. If you have questions, please contact us.
RSS Feeds: News organizations cannot systematically republish all EdSource articles via RSS feed or other mechanism.
Health insurance costs hit teachers and districts hard
Hot classrooms, leaky roofs — one student’s fight for better school facilities (Rebroadcast)
How a father’s detention shaped his son’s educational career
How should schools and teachers approach using screens in schools?
Achievement gaps, artificial intelligence and more: state superintendent hopefuls detail their plans at candidate forums
Special education experts urge California schools to invest in early education amid rising costs
Elections 2026
L.A. Fires: One year later
Play, potties, preschool: TK for All
California’s Reading Dilemma
Saving Head Start
Falling rates, rising risk: Vaccination rates down in California
May 13, 2026
Screen time in schools: What’s the right balance for learning?
View Now
March 26, 2026
More students, less funding: Special education in crisis
View Now
News Topics
Featured Special Reports
News Brief
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 — 11:20 am
Many children and teens are turning to artificial intelligence for help with homework, questions about their health and body and personal problems before turning to an adult, according to a new national survey from Common Sense Media.
The report, which surveyed 1,204 children nationwide, found that nearly 9 in 10 kids age 9 to 17 use or interact with AI, including about 1 in 4 who do so on a daily basis. Children used AI primarily for entertainment, schoolwork and creative uses such as generating images and videos, with about half seeking information about their health or body and advice about future goals and decisions.
Nearly a quarter of children said they would turn to AI for help with schoolwork or homework before seeking guidance from a teacher, counselor or parent. Those who struggled more with math skills, writing essays and working on something challenging were more likely to use AI weekly or more for schoolwork.
“You can exploit AI to do all your assignments from school, and use multiple AIs to make it look handmade,” one respondent told researchers.
Researchers also raised concerns about AI dependency, with 20% of children who use AI saying it would be difficult to stop using AI for a month — rising to 42% among daily users.
About 1 in 10 kids agreed that they sometimes feel AI understands them better than most people do, with 19% of daily users feeling that way. Kids who reported feeling lonelier were also more likely to use AI more frequently for social and emotional support, with those who had a harder time making friends more likely to use chatbots to practice social skills and discuss personal feelings or problems.
“We see tweens and teens are using these tools to create, to learn, to laugh, and to relate,” said the report. “But downsides lurk; heavier use of these tools is associated with loneliness and less happiness in young people. This could be because lonely or unhappy teens are seeking support from AI, or because an overreliance on AI is displacing healthy coping skills.”
Researchers also found gaps in AI literacy and safety education. Nearly half of children had not discussed AI safety with parents or teachers, and only about a third correctly understood that AI cannot reliably distinguish true and false information. And when a chatbot showed something inappropriate to 1 in 6 children who use AI, most did not tell a trusted adult about it.
“Despite this evidence showing a need for more support, teens report that the rules guiding AI use are still being developed even as the journey is already underway,” the report said, “and that conversations about AI safety are still missing from many classrooms and dinner tables.”
Many children also said they understood AI better than adults.
“Adults seem to have a hard time knowing which videos or reels are real or AI. I have to tell my mom it’s fake a lot,” one respondent told researchers.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 10:17 am
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 2:23 pm
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 10:43 am
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 9:44 am
Monday, June 8, 2026, 10:41 am
Credit: Allison Shelley for EDUimages
June 10, 2026
Daniel Whitlock
One of the most powerful ways teachers can use AI is to tap the readily available, school-specific data on how their colleagues have solved everyday classroom problems.
Commentary
June 10, 2026
Diana Lambert
Sonja Shaw and Richard Barrera, both board presidents of high-performing school districts, are running for state superintendent of public instruction with differing views on transgender students, funding and ethnic studies.
June 9, 2026
Keerthi Eraniyan
English learners make up 17% of California students, but few are comfortable enough to show up when decisions that affect them are under discussion. Districts should change that.
Commentary
Credit: Alison Yin / EdSource
June 9, 2026
Michael Burke
Many UC faculty are calling for the system to require the SAT or ACT for STEM applicants, arguing that too many admitted students are severely unprepared for college-level math. Other faculty disagree and say the exams would only serve to benefit affluent students.
Stay ahead of the latest developments on education in California and nationally from early childhood to college and beyond. Sign up for EdSource’s no-cost daily email.
Mailing address:
1721 Broadway, Suite #201
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone 510-433-0421 Fax 510-433-0422
Contact Us
2026 EdSource. All Rights Reserved.
