By Zoila Palma: As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life, children and teenagers are turning to AI tools for schoolwork, entertainment, advice and even companionship.
The American Psychological Association (APA) says research into youth and AI remains in its early stages, but psychologists are already examining how excessive or inappropriate use could affect cognitive, social and emotional development.
More than half of U.S. adolescents report using AI chatbots to help with schoolwork, according to a 2026 Pew Research Center report.
While AI can improve productivity and provide educational support, psychologists warn that relying too heavily on the technology may prevent students from engaging deeply with challenging material and developing important skills independently.
Research involving nearly 1,000 high school mathematics students in Turkey found that students using ChatGPT improved their grades by 48%, but when the AI tool was removed, they performed 17% worse than students who had never used it.
Researchers say the findings highlight concerns about “cognitive offloading,” in which students rely on technology to reduce the mental effort needed to complete tasks, potentially weakening learning and long-term skill development.
Psychologists stress, however, that AI itself is not necessarily harmful and that how and why students use it matters. AI can support learning by acting as a brainstorming partner, providing feedback, creating practice problems or helping with nonessential tasks such as formatting. Research has also found that specially designed AI tutoring systems with educational guardrails can produce stronger learning outcomes while reducing some of the negative effects associated with unrestricted AI use.
Concerns extend beyond academics as young people increasingly turn to AI chatbots for companionship, entertainment and personal advice.
Surveys cited by the APA indicate that 72% of children have used social AI, with some reporting that they have discussed serious problems with AI rather than with another person.
Experts warn that AI relationships could potentially displace real-world interactions and limit opportunities for young people to develop empathy, communication, conflict-resolution and other social skills.
The APA says parents, educators and policymakers should focus on helping young people develop AI literacy and establish appropriate safeguards.
The post Growing up with AI: What it could mean for young brains appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life, children and teenagers are turning to AI tools for schoolwork, entertainment, advice and even companionship. The American Psychological Association (APA) says research into youth and AI remains in its early stages, but psychologists are already examining how excessive or inappropriate use could affect
The post Growing up with AI: What it could mean for young brains appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.