A recent survey conducted by Norton, a Cyber Safety brand, reveals that more than half of New Zealand parents are reluctant to allow their Children to use artificial intelligence (AI) for completing schoolwork. The survey found that 51% of parents with school-aged children between 4 and 17 would not trust AI for educational purposes.

Despite these concerns, the survey also discovered that nearly two-thirds of respondents had children who independently go online for entertainment or educational purposes. This poses a challenge for parents who struggle to monitor their children’s internet usage effectively. Additionally, only 46% of respondents trust school technology policies and online security measures. Many parents worry about their children posting content on social media that may have long-lasting ramifications.

Furthermore, the survey indicated that 36% of parents believe that schools are not doing enough to educate and protect children against online threats. A digital content creator and professional dancer, Nerida Jantti, expressed her concern, stating that using AI tools for homework may hinder children from developing independent thinking skills.

The survey highlighted other online risks that concern parents, including exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and children being manipulated or scammed by strangers online. Despite these worries, 69% of respondents feel confident in their knowledge of online safety to protect their families. However, parents still prioritize privacy, ensuring that shared photos of their children have strict privacy settings.

Mark Gorrie, Norton’s Asia-Pacific Managing Director, emphasized the importance of maintaining vigilance and control over children’s online activities. He recommended Norton Family as a tool for parents to help safeguard and monitor their children’s internet use.

To address these concerns and keep children safe online, Norton advised parents to engage in open dialogue, educate children about online threats, curate suitable AI tools, and install cybersecurity software at home.

Source:
– Norton Cyber Safety omnibus survey 2023

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