Kids using AI for homework? Here's how to make sure they're actually learning

A guide for parents on how to ensure children actually learn when using AI for homework. According to a survey, 6 out of 10 students use such tools, but only a third receive guidance from school. The author offers three steps: setting rules and boundaries, phrasing requests correctly, and checking understanding independently.

The article presents a practical guide for parents on how to ensure their children actually learn when using AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude for homework. According to a survey by the National Authority for Measurement and Evaluation in Education, about six out of ten students in grades 5 through 11 use such tools, but only about a third say the school teaches them how to use them correctly. The author, Noam Cohen, founder of CritiqeIL, offers three steps: before use – setting a minimum age, parental controls, and clear rules at home; during use – phrasing requests that ask for an explanation rather than a ready answer; and after use – checking understanding through conversation, not through unreliable detection software. The article cites a 2025 study in the journal PNAS that showed students who used GPT-4 like crutches received lower grades when the tool was unavailable, compared to those who did not use it at all.