Children's reliance on chatbots 'a problem already', Dubai educators warn
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…
Dubai educators are warning that children are becoming overly reliant on chatbots for guidance on personal matters, such as emotions, friendships and problems. These digital assistants are available 24/7, allowing young people to seek answers and reassurance without speaking to another person. However, experts argue that chatbots lack the ability to truly understand emotions or recognize when a child truly needs help.
Neil Hopkin, director of education at Fortes Education, stated that some children are beginning to treat AI chatbots as friends, despite the technology being unable to provide the same emotional support as a parent, teacher, or trusted adult. He noted that AI can mimic empathy, causing children to quickly believe they are forming a friendship with a machine.
Research from Ajman University found a connection between using AI and symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression among university students in the UAE. Another study involving 360 students at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman revealed that 11.9% had utilized AI chatbots for mental health support. However, 54.7% preferred traditional therapy, while only 23.1% favored chatbot-based treatment.
Dr. Kulangara Jacob Johnson, director of the Centre for Design and Innovation for Public Purpose at American School of Dubai, expressed concern that children could become excessively dependent on AI, turning to chatbots for homework help or personal advice. While he acknowledged that the convenience and speed of AI might tempt children, he cautioned against assuming that frequent AI users would necessarily lose their ability to think independently.
Instead, Dr. Johnson suggested that children might be developing alternative ways of learning and processing information. He emphasized the importance of encouraging children to question AI's responses rather than accepting them blindly.
To address this growing issue, Dr. Hopkin and Dr. Johnson argued that banning AI was unlikely to be an effective solution. Instead, parents and schools should openly discuss AI with children and help them understand that its answers may not always be correct or appropriate. Schools also need to collaborate with parents and technology companies to ensure children use AI safely and maintain essential human relationships.
Written by urgent.news from The National Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
