AI homework help - where do you draw the line?
My 12 year old discovered ChatGPT and is using it for homework. On one hand, its a great learning tool - he asks it to explain concepts he doesn't understand. On the other hand, I caught him just copy-pasting answers for a writing assignment.
How are other parents handling this? Outright ban seems unrealistic since he'll use it at friends houses anyway. But I don't want him to never learn to think for himself.
We set rules in our house:
1. AI is a tutor, not a ghostwriter. You can ask it to EXPLAIN things but not write your assignments.
2. If you use AI to help, you have to be able to explain the answer in your own words.
3. We check by asking follow-up questions about their homework.
My kids are 11 and 14 and this has worked pretty well. The 14 year old actually uses it really effectively now - asks it to quiz her on study material, explain concepts different ways, etc.
I actually think learning to use AI effectively IS a skill they need. The generation entering the workforce in 10 years will be expected to use these tools. The key is teaching them to use it as a thinking partner not a shortcut.
I sit with my kid sometimes and show him how I use it at work - I draft, AI helps refine, but I'm still driving. Modeling good usage is probably more effective than rules.
Talk to their teachers about it too. A lot of schools are developing AI policies and its better to be aligned. My son's school actually encourages using AI for research and brainstorming but not for final submissions. Having the school reinforce the same message helps.
The copy-paste thing is basically the same as copying from Wikipedia 15 years ago. Kids will always look for shortcuts. The answer isn't banning the tool, its teaching critical thinking so they WANT to do the work themselves. Easier said than done I know lol.