As Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) reaches children through both classrooms and the internet, many European countries have begun to introduce regulations on students using AI in schools.
The debate about children's use of AI has become more heated as the United Nations (UN) calls on countries to strengthen measures to protect children from risks from AI, in the context that this technology is increasingly widely used in learning and life.
Speaking at the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva (Switzerland), UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that AI is reaching children faster than the pace of building protection mechanisms. He warned that children can be manipulated by chatbots, access toxic content or become victims of abused images created by AI.
According to Mr. Guterres, AI systems for children need to be safety checked before deployment and must have a mechanism to prevent child abuse content.
These concerns are gradually being reflected in the policies of many countries. In Norway, the government plans to restrict students from grades 1 to 7 from using generative AI from the autumn semester. Students from grades 8 to 10 are only allowed to use AI under the guidance of teachers, while high school students will be trained to use AI for learning.
France has also issued a framework from 2025, only allowing students from grade 8 and above to use AI in class under the supervision of teachers.
According to a report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), 72% of secondary school teachers believe that AI can affect academic integrity when students use content created by AI to do homework.
However, some education experts believe that, instead of being completely banned, AI should be introduced into schools according to a roadmap suitable for each age group, helping students learn how to use technology safely and responsibly.
