Children's reliance on chatbots 'a problem already', Dubai educators warn

Résumé détaillé

Education experts fear children are becoming too dependent on chatbots for advice, rather than speaking to parents and teachers.They warn that children are turning to AI for…

Education experts fear children are becoming too dependent on chatbots for advice, rather than speaking to parents and teachers.

They warn that children are turning to AI for guidance about their feelings, friendships and personal problems, and the chatbots' round-the-clock availability means young people can seek answers and reassurance without speaking to another person.

Advocates for the technology say AI offers a space to reflect, express frustration or seek discreet reassurance. However, educators say young people are relying on systems that cannot understand their emotions or recognise when they need help.

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“It's not down the line. It's a problem already,” Neil Hopkin, director of education at Fortes Education, told The National at the GESS Dubai education conference on Tuesday.

He said some children were beginning to treat AI chatbots as friends, despite the technology being unable to offer the same emotional support as a parent, teacher or trusted adult.

“AI doesn't do that. It can fake some of that, so it can fake empathy,” Dr Hopkin added. “We've seen that as a problem in the way that some of the chatbots talk with young children, and very quickly the child believes that this is a friend when it's not.”

He said chatbots often agreed with users or encouraged their existing opinions, rather than questioning them or offering another perspective.

This could be particularly concerning when children turn to AI during difficult or emotional situations, he added.

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