Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the future of education, entertainment, and work. But are parents prepared to guide their children through this change?
According to new research, apparently not kidsoutandabout.com,
conclusionBased on a November 2025 survey of more than 300 parents and grandparents in the US and Canada, a significant disconnect is highlighted: While adults are starting to understand the basics of AI, they feel woefully unprepared to help the next generation navigate it.
To understand the data and what it means for families, I looked at the report’s findings and discussed its implications with Paul Roetzer, founder and CEO of SmarterX and the Marketing AI Institute. Episode 184 of the Artificial Intelligence Show.
confidence gap
The survey, led by Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, reveals a surprising “trust gap” among caregivers.
General awareness seems to be good, with about 54% of respondents saying they feel “somewhat confident” in their general understanding of AI. They know what it is, and they probably use it in some form or another.
But when it comes to parenting, that confidence disappears.
- 52% of parents and grandparents clearly say they do No Feel equipped to help kids navigate AI technology.
- Only 5% say they feel really confident in their ability to guide children.
The data shows that while adults may be comfortable using ChatGPT to draft emails or plan a trip, they struggle to translate that use into lessons on ethics, safety, and responsible use for their children.
what parents want
When asked what they wanted to learn most, parents didn’t ask about tech tutorials or coding lessons. Instead, he focused on “digital defense” and critical thinking.
The top requested topics were: how to detect misinformation or bias in AI tools and how to help children use AI responsibly.
Qualitative responses to the survey painted an even clearer picture. Parents described AI as a “runaway train” and expressed deep concerns about security, privacy, and the possibility of their children losing critical thinking skills.
Some parents admitted that they use these devices daily but still do not understand them well enough to set limits for their families.
a shared sense of urgency
For Roetzer, who speaks frequently to students and teachers, the findings reinforce a sentiment that has been building for some time.
“In every conversation I have with parents I feel a sense of urgency to do more,” Roetzer says.
Despite his expertise, Roetzer admits that navigating AI parenting is uncharted territory for everyone.
“I don’t have all the answers,” he says. “I’m trying a lot of things.”
How do we bridge the gap?
The survey highlights that technology is advancing faster than our ability to create curriculum or parenting playbooks.
While resources are emerging to help parents talk to their children about AI, such as The “KidSafe GPT” tool is available through SmarterXThere is a clear need for comprehensive education.
“It’s important that a lot of people are thinking about this and we’re all trying to find the most positive way to handle this,” Roetzer says.
As AI becomes deeply integrated into schools and homes, bridging this literacy gap is not just about understanding the technology, but about preparing the next generation to live with it.
