Parents in France are underestimating how frequently their children use artificial intelligence, while many say they lack the support needed to guide them towards responsible use, according to a new YouGov survey commissioned by Berlin-based non-governmental organisation Interface.
The survey found that 40% of children aged 11 to 12 use general-purpose AI services, such as ChatGPT, every week. However, only 26% of their parents were aware of this use, a gap of 14 percentage points.
The research, conducted online between June 24 and 30, included 1,138 parents of children aged 11 to 17 and 970 children in the same age group. It examined the use of several AI technologies, including chatbots, digital companions, voice assistants and AI features built into social media platforms.
The findings suggest that AI tools are becoming part of children’s lives at an early age. Among respondents aged 11 to 12, 56% said they used at least one type of generative AI tool weekly. General-purpose AI services were used by 40%, while 33% reported using voice assistants. Another 23% used AI features embedded in social media, and 16% said they interacted with AI companions.
Jessica Galissaire, a senior policy researcher at Interface, said AI chatbots could function like always-available companions because they do not tire and may consistently agree with users. She also raised concerns about younger children accessing services whose age requirements they do not meet. Character.AI, for example, requires users in the European Union to be at least 16 years old.
The survey found that parents consistently underestimated AI use across age groups. Among children aged 13 to 15, 62% reported regular use, compared with their parents’ estimate of 52%. For teenagers aged 16 to 17, the figures were 70% and 61%, respectively.
Time spent using these services was another concern. According to Galissaire, 92% of generative AI users said they spent more time on the technology than they intended. AI companions and AI features integrated into social media recorded particularly high levels of unwanted extended use, at 59% and 57%, respectively.
Parents also reported limited support in helping their children navigate AI. Only 32% felt sufficiently supported, while 26% said they received some support but not enough. The remaining 42% said they received no support at all.
When asked who should help protect and educate children about AI, 51% of parents identified teachers and schools, while 41% pointed to technology platforms and 30% to public authorities.
The findings come as the European Union considers its proposed Kids Act, which aims to strengthen platform accountability through measures including age limits, parental controls and restrictions on features considered addictive.
Galissaire argued that regulation alone would not address the risks. She favoured requiring platforms to be safe by design, alongside prevention and education, warning that age restrictions could create a false sense of security if parents stopped monitoring their children’s online activities.
