A Parent’s Guide to AI Use and Safeguards in School
AI in education has huge potential for students. Early familiarity with the technology could prepare them to succeed in the future and get more out of their learning environment today. So much so, children as young as six are being offered AI classes as part of national efforts to create the next generation of AI founders.
But there are valid concerns among parents at home about how children are using AI at school and at home for their schoolwork.
A recent study by Internet Matters revealed 54% of children who use generative AI tools use them for homework or schoolwork. Yet, 60% of parents have not been informed by their child’s school about how these tools are being used.
What’s more, there is growing concern over children using AI to cheat on essays and being caught out by teachers.
To help, Max Spero, CEO at Pangram Labs – creator of leading AI detector tools – provides his insight into AI use and safeguards in school…and the questions parents should be asking.
Do AI tools have age restrictions?
Yes, they do. Regulations, such as GDPR, set restrictions on collecting data from minors.
Many AI tools work on the principle that children can give consent for their personal data to be processed by information technology companies from the age of 13. For example, OpenAI – the makers of ChatGPT – state “users must be at least 13 years old and users between the ages of 13 and 18 must have parental or guardian permission to use the platform”.
But some think this threshold is too young and have advocated for legislation to raise the age to 16. Some AI software, like Microsoft’s Copilot, have 18+ age restrictions.
How to find out what AI tools are used at school
AI is in classrooms across the UK, yet the Government’s advice to schools and colleges is simply to “consider how they engage with parents around the use of AI tools”.
In response, the BCS recommends that understanding of AI is made a significant part of teacher training and headteachers’ leadership qualifications, and for schools to publish AI policies on their websites.
To check if your child’s school has an AI policy, try searching its website via the search bar or site map. If there isn’t one published, contact the school directly to request more information. It’s also important to ask if they have prohibited uses of AI tools, too.
Don’t be afraid to speak to your child directly to find out what their experience with AI has been like within a school setting. You can also explore whether they are using any AI tools without the instruction of their teachers for their schoolwork and why. This way, you get a wider picture of your child’s AI use and can spot any red flags before they become an issue – like AI plagiarism.
What to do if your child is accused of AI plagiarism
AI plagiarism is becoming a big issue. So much so, 41% of teachers now regularly check homework and coursework for plagiarism content from the web.
While leading AI detection software is over 99% accurate at spotting AI-generated content, some educational institutions rely on software with less accuracy which means false positives are a reality.
Whether your child has been accused of AI plagiarism or not, it’s important they understand that AI detector tools may be used on their work and how to provide evidence in the case of a false accusation.
You may be surprised at the amount of software that now has AI features. For example, the proof-reading software Grammarly now offers users the ability to use generative AI to change the tone of voice and generate ideas and text in a similar way to ChatGPT – this can be detected as AI plagiarism.
In response, the company recently rolled out “authorship” features that records a student’s writing process, distinguishing between typed text, copy-pasted paragraphs, and AI-generated language. Students can then send the report of their writing process to their instructors as proof that their use was within the bounds of academic integrity if their writing triggers AI detection.
If your child uses Google Docs to write their assignments, it’s easy to prove something is human-written. Simply go to File > Version History > See Version History and you will be able to clearly see the writing process.
For writing in Microsoft Word that’s saved to OneDrive or SharePoint, you can also view the file history to demonstrate how the document naturally changed over time.
Search history and downloaded files are also strong evidence to show desktop research when writing assignments – or old-school library receipts. So too are previously written pieces that have passed AI detector tests to compare writing style.
Can I opt my child out of using AI at school?
There is no blanket policy that schools need to follow for parental permission when it comes to AI use.
While the privacy policies of popular AI software say children aged 13-18 should have parent’s permission, many educational institutions haven’t taken the step of getting formal permission – yet. Some commentators have called for permission slips, just like with sports and school trips.
Without a formal permission process, it’s important parents understand the different AI tools being used by their child within school and at home to make an informed decision. If you do have concerns about what AI software your child is using or would like to opt your child out, then contact the institution directly.
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