Teens Using AI for Homework: What Parents Need to Know

It’s official. Teens are turning to AI to get through their homework, and this trend isn’t slowing down. Whether it’s asking ChatGPT to solve math problems, write an essay, or explain science concepts, using generative AI tools has become the go-to resource for students today.

Maybe you’ve noticed your teen really getting on top of their schoolwork lately. Or they've casually mentioned “researching something with ChatGPT"? Teens are exposed to the new digital age, and a lot of parents are out of the loop.

So, let’s talk about it. What exactly is happening here? What’s good about using AI tools for schoolwork, what’s not so great about it, and how should you respond as a parent? 

The AI Homework Helpers: How Teens Are Using Tools Like ChatGPT

Teens today are growing up in a world where AI tools have become a part of everyday life. Just like we had Google, they have ChatGPT. The difference is that these AI models don’t just find info, they generate it...fast.

Students are using AI in all kinds of ways:

• To research new topics for assignments
• To write essays or outline writing tasks
• To solve math problems
• To explain science concepts in simpler terms
• To get quick feedback or suggestions on how to improve their work

According to a Pew Research Center survey, 60% of teens aged 13 to 17 have used ChatGPT for their schoolwork. This number is even greater among older students, especially for teens in 11th and 12th grade. Now, is this a good thing or a bad thing? That really depends on how they use it. 

‍

What Teens Say About Using AI for Homework

Teens using AI say it saves time, helps them understand tough subjects, or just makes life a little easier when school feels overwhelming.

Here’s what students surveyed in various reports have said:

• It helps when they don’t understand something in class
• It’s like a tutor that’s always available
• It makes boring assignments quicker to finish
• "Everyone else is doing it"

Some even said they think it's acceptable to use ChatGPT as long as they’re not copying everything word for word. Students said that it's more of a support tool, not a cheat code. 

‍

Is Using AI for Schoolwork Helping or Hurting?

Like most things in parenting, it’s not black and white. Here’s the real talk:

The Upside of AI Homework Helpers

Personalised help: AI tools like ChatGPT can break down tricky concepts, especially in subjects like math and science that may be more complex to understand.

Better understanding: Teens can ask follow-up questions without feeling judged.

Time-saving: With AI, students can skip the writer's block, and instead of staring at a blank screen for hours, a writing assignment gets done a lot faster. 

Using AI tools for school can act as a translator when kids need extra help, and it's especially great for neurodiverse students or those with learning challenges. It easily breaks down tough topics in ways that their brains will understand. 

In short, using AI for homework can very well improve learning when it’s used right.

But... Here’s the Catch

AI can be wrong: Yep, AI-generated answers aren’t always accurate. Artificial intelligence learns from data, which means it can sometimes be inaccurate. 

Over-reliance: If your teen is always using AI to complete assignments and school work, they may not be learning. 

Writing shortcuts: If they’re using it to write essays from start to finish, they’re missing out on building critical thinking skills and writing skills. 

Detection drama: Some schools use AI detection software now. And yep, AI detectors are a thing, even though they’re not always 100% reliable. Teens can get in trouble for using AI and their work could be flagged as plagiarism. 

Brain development: This is the part that makes most parents pause. There’s still ongoing research about this, but if kids use AI to support every task, they're not learning how to research, analyse, and form their own ideas. Over time, this can affect their ability to think independently, retain knowledge, and build confidence in their academic abilities.

‍

Are Schools Okay With This?

It’s messy. Some teachers encourage students to use AI to brainstorm or find clarity when confused on a subject. Others have banned it completely. 

AI use among students is forcing schools to rethink how they assess learning. Some are turning back to handwritten tests. Others are creating ethical AI use guidelines. But we’re still in the early days.

AI rules in schools are still unclear, so chat with your teen about it or maybe ask a teacher about the school's policy.

‍

Should You Be Worried About Your Teen Using ChatGPT for Schoolwork?

Worried? Not necessarily. Aware? Definitely.

Your teen will likely AI tools like ChatGPT at some point (if they haven’t already). That doesn’t mean they’re lazy or cheating, it means they’re growing up in a world where resources like such are available and easy to access.

The thing is, it's ok that your teen's using these tools. But it's important for you to know how they're using it. Are they learning, or are they outsourcing their brains?

‍

How to Talk to Your Teen About Using AI for Homework

Let’s be honest, if you lecture them, they’ll probably get upset and shut down. So instead, try this:

Ask how they’re using it. Keep it chill. Have a conversation and be open-minded to learn about what they have to say. “Hey, I’ve been hearing about kids using AI to help with homework. Have you tried it?”

Talk about what’s okay and what’s not. Each family might draw that line differently. Maybe it’s okay to use AI to explain something, but not to write the whole assignment. Encourage them to complete their work on their own, and use these tools to review their work. 

Explore it together. Try asking ChatGPT a homework question with them and talk about how the answer is built. Is it accurate? Is it helpful? What's their input on it? 

Talk about the risks. Let them know about AI detection tools, the risk of inaccurate information, and how using them irresponsibly could backfire. 

Focus on learning. Remind your teen that school isn’t just about finishing tasks. It’s about figuring things out, getting better, and preparing for what’s next. Talk to them about the importance of learning at this age and how the effort they put in now is helping them build the skills they'll need for real life.

Encourage them to use AI like they’d use a calculator, a textbook, or a friend who’s good at explaining stuff. Useful, but not a substitute for actually doing the work.

‍

What’s Next for Teens and AI in School?

AI isn’t going away any time soon. In fact, many students are using AI more than adults realise. The challenge now is helping teens use AI to support their learning instead of replacing it.

Some schools are already weaving generative AI tools into the curriculum: teaching students how to prompt better, evaluate answers critically, and use it to explore new ideas. Others are cracking down with strict rules and are discouraging it completely.

No matter where your teen goes to school, this is a conversation worth having.

At the end of the day, AI is just a tool. It can help with their homework, or it can become a crutch. It depends on how it’s used.

If your teen is using ChatGPT to solve math problems, write an essay, or get help with science homework, that’s not the end of the world. But if they’re skipping the learning part altogether? That’s when parents should be concerned.

No matter how helpful artificial intelligence can be, at the end of the day, it's your teen's brain that should be doing the thinking and growing. 

‍

Need more support navigating the ups and downs of the teen years? Join Fawn Meets today to connect with other Aussie parents who get it. Share stories, swap strategies, and grow together with ongoin support.

‍