Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping education, entertainment, and the future of work. But are parents ready to guide their children through this transformation?
Apparently not, according to new research from KidsOutAndAbout.com.
The findings, based on a November 2025 survey of more than 300 parents and grandparents across the U.S. and Canada, highlight a critical disconnect: While adults are starting to grasp 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 the implications with SmarterX and Marketing AI Institute founder and CEO Paul Roetzer on Episode 184 of The Artificial Intelligence Show.
The Confidence Gap
The survey, led by KidsOutAndAbout.com publisher Debra Ross, reveals a striking “confidence gap” among caregivers.
General awareness seems decent with about 54% of respondents saying they feel “somewhat confident” in their general understanding of AI. They know what it is, and they likely use it in some capacity.
But that confidence evaporates when it comes to parenting.
- 52% of parents and grandparents explicitly state they do not feel equipped to help children navigate AI technology.
- Only 5% say they feel truly confident in their ability to guide kids.
The data suggests that while adults might be comfortable using ChatGPT to draft an email or plan a trip, they struggle to translate that usage into lessons on ethics, safety, and responsible use for their children.
What Parents Want
When asked what they most want to learn, parents didn't ask for technical tutorials or coding lessons. Instead, they focused on "digital defense" and critical thinking.
The top requested topics were: how to spot misinformation or bias in AI tools and helping kids use AI responsibly.
Qualitative responses in the survey painted an even more vivid picture. Parents described AI as a “runaway train” and expressed deep anxiety about safety, privacy, and the potential for their children to lose critical thinking skills.
Some parents acknowledged that they use these tools daily but still don't understand them well enough to set boundaries for their families.
A Shared Sense of Urgency
For Roetzer, who frequently speaks to students and educators, the findings reinforce a feeling that has been building for some time.
“Every conversation I have with parents, I do feel this sense of urgency to do more,” says Roetzer.
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 stuff.”
How Do We Close the Gap?
The survey highlights that the technology is advancing faster than our ability to create curriculums or parenting playbooks.
While resources are emerging to help parents talk to their kids about AI, such as the "KidSafe GPT" tool available via SmarterX, there is a clear need for broader education.
“It’s important that a lot of people are thinking about this and we’re all trying to figure out the most positive way to handle this,” says Roetzer.
As AI becomes deeply integrated into schools and homes, closing this literacy gap isn't just about understanding technology, it's about preparing the next generation to live with it.
Mike Kaput
As Chief Content Officer, Mike Kaput uses content marketing, marketing strategy, and marketing technology to grow and scale traffic, leads, and revenue for Marketing AI Institute. Mike is the co-author of Marketing Artificial Intelligence: AI, Marketing and the Future of Business (Matt Holt Books, 2022). See Mike's full bio.