Study Finds AI Now Common in Daily Lives of Finnish Children and Teens
A recent survey shows that AI tools are used daily by a majority of Finnish students aged 11 to 17, with usage especially high in upper secondary education.
An internet panel survey of over a thousand Finnish youths aged 11 to 17, carried out by Norstat between 14 and 29 September, found that AI is now a routine part of schoolwork and daily information searches. Seven out of ten lower-primary students and eight out of ten upper-secondary or vocational students reported using AI daily for tasks such as research, homework assistance and seeking advice. Katri Vataja, CEO of the Itsenäisyyden juhlavuoden lastensäätiö Itlasta, highlighted the absence of shared guidelines for safe AI use.
Riikka Ihamuotila, chair of Digirauha, called on companies to embed child-rights considerations into AI design and warned that societal regulation may be required if they fail to do so. The study also noted that most respondents use AI on smartphones, with many creating images and videos, and that a notable share converse with AI as a companion, raising concerns about privacy and critical thinking.
Why it matters
The findings show AI is shaping education and social habits of young people, prompting urgent calls for responsible design and regulation.
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