77 percent of Children use GenAI for educational purposes: Report

The report, based on a survey of 1,040 parents from major urban centers including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, and Ahmedabad, reveals that 77 percent of children use GenAI for educational purposes.

Gateway Consulting, a prominent public policy research firm, has unveiled a new research report titled ‘Enhancing Children's Learning and Critical Thinking Skills in the Age of Generative AI.’ This in-depth analysis explores the use of Generative AI (GenAI) tools among children and offers practical recommendations for parents and educators to ensure responsible utilization.

Survey Findings and Parental Insights

The report, based on a survey of 1,040 parents from major urban centers including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, and Ahmedabad, reveals that 77 percent of children use GenAI for educational purposes. In contrast, 20 percent utilize it for personal interests, and 2 percent for social-emotional support and life skills. While 37 percent of parents recognize the potential benefits of GenAI for enhancing critical thinking, 26 percent are skeptical, and 37 percent remain neutral. Notably, 61 percent of parents admitted to not providing guidance on the responsible use of GenAI.

Expert Commentary and Panel Discussion

Tushar Gandhi, Founder of Gateway Consulting, emphasized the dual nature of GenAI's impact. "Our research highlights both the significant opportunities and challenges that GenAI presents for children's learning and critical thinking. It is crucial for children to be guided in using these tools responsibly while developing their independent critical thinking skills," he stated. The report was launched with a panel discussion featuring industry experts such as Rakesh Maheshwari, Former MeitY official; Shiva Kanwar, Fellow at ICRIER; Sneha Sood, Senior Project Lead at Central Square Foundation; Sukhna Sawhney, Lead at Rocket Learning; and Garima Rathore, Director at Microsoft.

Addressing Concerns and Providing Guidance

The report also addresses various concerns related to GenAI, including hidden biases, the risk of overreliance, inaccurate information, and issues with age verification and child safety. To mitigate these challenges, it offers a step-by-step guide for parents and educators, focusing on three main areas: understanding GenAI, educating children about its capabilities and limitations, and providing effective guidance on its use.

Future Research Directions

This report is the first in a series by Gateway Consulting exploring the impact of GenAI on children's education and development. Future studies will examine the integration of GenAI in educational institutions and its broader implications for the future of learning.

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