AI in Schools The Debate Parents Are Having Now

The future is here: a recent survey from Preply revealed that two-thirds of American students are already using AI for schoolwork multiple times a week. This isn't just casual experimentation; thirty-six percent use AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot both at school and at home. With student usage in states like Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas even outpacing national averages, the question is no longer if students will use AI, but how we prepare them to think alongside it.

The Hidden Cost of AI on Critical Thinking

While AI offers clear benefits like instant feedback and powerful research capabilities, there's a growing concern about a hidden cognitive cost. Neuroscience research suggests that relying on AI for complex language tasks may decrease activity in the prefrontal cortex—the part of our brain responsible for reasoning and decision-making. Supporting this, a study by Cornell University and Microsoft Research found that participants using AI writing assistance performed worse on subsequent critical thinking exercises.

Simply put, when we let AI do the thinking, our brains can start to check out. This doesn't make AI inherently bad, but it highlights the need for intentional use. If students use AI to bypass the productive struggle of learning, they risk missing out on developing deeper cognitive skills. The key is to shift from using AI for quick answers to using it as a tool to challenge ideas, explore different views, and reflect on new knowledge.

As Matthew Graham, Managing Partner at Ryze Labs, notes, "I think we’re underestimating just how deeply influential it could become... These tools are emotionally engaging, subtly flattering, and incredibly persuasive. It’s like the algorithmic influence of social media, but 100 times more powerful."

A New Digital Divide: AI Literacy vs. AI Access

The role of a student is evolving from memorizing facts to synthesizing information and asking better questions. AI can speed up this shift, but its implementation in schools is inconsistent. Some districts embrace AI and teach digital literacy, while others have banned it completely. This creates a new divide based not on wealth, but on AI fluency and critical awareness.

AI literacy goes beyond basic use. A student might know how to prompt ChatGPT, but do they know how to evaluate its answers for bias, inaccuracies, or ethical red flags? Do they understand how to protect their personal data?

Sofia Tavares, Chief Brand Officer at Preply, on how AI has positives and some things to beware of for parents.

Sofia Tavares of Preply highlights this distinction: "While it offers convenience and quick access to information, over-reliance on AI can result in a superficial understanding... Tools like ChatGPT help generate ideas and clarify concepts, but they cannot replicate the emotional intelligence, adaptability, and encouragement that human educators provide." She argues that AI should be a supplement to, not a substitute for, human teachers.

Are We Confident or Complacent About AI Safety?

The Preply survey found that 90 percent of students and parents feel confident about using AI responsibly. While this optimism is a good sign, it begs the question: what does "readiness" truly mean?

True readiness involves understanding:

• When to trust AI output and when to verify it.
• How to write effective prompts without sacrificing originality.
• Why it's important that some AI tools cite their sources.
• What happens to your data after you enter a prompt.

Beyond the technical skills, families should be asking deeper questions:

• How much reliance on AI is too much?
• How can we ensure our kids stay safe while using these platforms?
• How do we balance AI interaction with real-world relationships?

Without this foundational knowledge, confidence can easily become complacency.

The Great Parental Debate: To Ban or Guide AI Use

As AI becomes a fixture in education, a cultural split is emerging among parents. Some are taking a hardline stance, blocking AI tools until their children are older, much like early attitudes towards social media. Others are allowing unrestricted access with little to no oversight.

Mickie Chandra, an Executive Fellow at The Digital Economist, warns about the risks of the hands-off approach. "A significant number of children who use ChatGPT report that it’s like talking to a friend and have no issues with taking advice from them... Consequences include developing a false sense of connection with ChatGPT, becoming overly reliant on a bot, and less interested in peer-to-peer interactions."

Neither extreme—a total ban or a free-for-all—is ideal. Banning AI may hinder the development of essential digital skills, while unrestricted use can lead to dependency and academic dishonesty. The most effective approach is guided exposure, where parents actively engage with their kids about AI, questioning sources, encouraging original thought, and modeling responsible use themselves.

The Evolution from AI Answer Engine to AI Tutor

Student use of AI is rapidly evolving. Today's reactive chatbots are giving way to the proactive AI agents of tomorrow. These next-generation tools will remind students of deadlines, suggest personalized study plans, and identify knowledge gaps.

OpenAI’s new "study mode" in ChatGPT is a prime example of this shift. Instead of just giving answers, it employs Socratic questioning to guide students, prompting them to think critically and reflect on their own reasoning.

ChatGPT AI just introduced Study mode. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Early users describe it as having a 24/7 personalized tutor. However, this progress brings its own challenges. As Olga Magnusson, a Senior Executive Fellow at The Digital Economist, cautions, "We need to understand the impact of AI on the cognitive development of our children... The prefrontal cortex... keeps developing until around 25 years of age. We still don’t have a clear understanding... what is the price we are willing to pay for progress."

Redefining Roles for Parents, Teachers, and Policymakers

The integration of AI in schools doesn't make teachers obsolete; it makes them more vital. Their role is shifting to that of a facilitator, teaching students how to think critically with AI.

Parents also have a new responsibility. It's no longer just about checking homework, but about having ongoing conversations about ethics, originality, and the value of intellectual effort.

Policymakers must step in to bridge the digital divide, ensuring all students have equitable access to quality AI tools and that schools have clear, national guidelines for safe and responsible implementation.

The Ultimate Challenge: Teaching Kids to Think with AI

Every generation faces a transformative technology, from the calculator to the internet. AI is the latest, but with a crucial difference: this tool can do the thinking for you. The question is no longer if students will use it—they already are. The real test is whether we, as a society, can teach them to use it wisely, ensuring they build, rather than lose, the cognitive muscles that have powered human innovation for centuries.