Over half of children use AI but only 31% of parents are aware, NSPCC reveals
Research highlights a knowledge gap between parents and children’s use of AI. NSPCC offers advice to help families stay safe.
New research from the NSPCC reveals that while more than half of children (52%) have experimented with AI platforms, only 31% of parents believe their child has done so.
This significant disconnect highlights a growing challenge for families trying to navigate the risks and benefits of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence technology.
As AI becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life, the children’s charity has issued a set of six practical tips for parents, aimed at helping them better understand how their children might be using AI and how to ensure they stay safe online.
The surprising stats behind children’s use of AI
The research, conducted by the NSPCC in partnership with Ofcom, paints a clear picture of a widening gap between children’s online behaviour and parents’ awareness. While 52% of children aged 12–15 admit to trying AI tools, only 31% of parents with children in this age group think their child has engaged with the technology.
Further NSPCC polling of over 3,300 adults also found that nearly nine in ten parents (89%) are worried about the potential dangers of AI technology, from deepfake videos to harmful online content.
This knowledge gap leaves many parents ill-equipped to tackle the challenges posed by generative AI tools, which are becoming increasingly accessible to children through apps and websites.
Six essential tips to help parents manage AI risks
To bridge this gap, the NSPCC has outlined six key pieces of advice for parents on their Online Safety Hub:
- Talk about where AI is being used: Open conversations are crucial. Ask your child where they encounter AI tools and discuss both the risks and benefits.
- Remind children not everything is real: Explain that AI-generated content may not always be trustworthy. Highlight signs of AI, such as overly "perfect" images or videos with strange details that don’t look natural.
- Discuss the misuse of AI: Address how AI can create harmful content, like deepfakes. Teach your child to report concerning behaviour and reassure them that help is available if they feel targeted.
- Encourage them to check sources: AI chatbots can provide quick answers, but it’s essential to ensure the information comes from a reliable source. Encourage your child to double-check using trusted websites.
- Signpost to safe advice: Children often seek health and wellbeing advice online. Guide them towards child-friendly resources, such as Childline, to avoid misinformation from AI-generated content.
- Make sure they know where to go for help: Remind your child that they can talk to you, a teacher, or trusted adults if something online makes them uncomfortable. They can also contact Childline for support.
The real impact of AI on children’s lives
AI technology has already caused distress for some children, as evidenced by stories shared with the NSPCC’s Childline service.
One 14-year-old boy explained how bullies used deepfake AI to create a fake video of him making explicit statements. “They’ve also made fake chat screenshots of me saying I want to do sexual things to them,” he said. “I want to tell a teacher, but it’s my word against all these other boys.”
Incidents like this highlight the darker side of AI technology, where misuse can lead to emotional harm, blackmail, or even financial exploitation.
What’s next: protecting children in an AI-driven world
The NSPCC is calling on the UK government to take urgent action to ensure AI companies prioritise child safety in their designs. The charity has also released a research paper outlining the risks generative AI poses to children and offering policy recommendations.
Young people themselves are also speaking up. Members of the NSPCC’s Voice of Online Youth recently attended the Children’s AI Summit in London, where over 100 children discussed how AI impacts their lives and shared their vision for a safer future. Their findings will be presented at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris this month.
Kate Edwards, Associate Head of Child Safety Online at the NSPCC, emphasised the importance of parents taking proactive steps to stay informed:
With AI developing so rapidly, it can be incredibly challenging for parents to know how to talk to their children about the risks and benefits of this new technology. One way of providing support is to have open conversations with young people about all their online experiences, including on AI, and reminding them that there is always help available if they have any concerns.
Parents and children can contact the NSPCC for support. Adults concerned about a child can call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk. Children seeking advice or support can contact Childline 24/7 on 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk.
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Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.
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