Artificial intelligence use widespread among young students, survey shows

A three-year survey by Parenting.com.tw, released at a news conference in Taipei, found that 92% of Taiwanese children aged 6-15 use artificial intelligence (AI), with 20% engaging daily or nearly daily. Among them, 53% reported happiness from digital activities like scrolling or gaming over real-life socializing, while 36% had not gone out with friends in a month and 29% felt no one understood them in person. The survey highlighted troubling trends in emotional reliance, with 23% of respondents reporting no one to depend on—up from 6% in the 2024 poll—and 34% turning to real-life friends when sad, compared to just 5% who confided in chatbots. Junior-high girls were particularly vulnerable, with 73% consulting chatbots for depression (2.8 times higher than seeking teacher support) and 54% using AI to resolve interpersonal conflicts, surpassing the 47% who asked teachers. Stress levels among students surged, with 47% reporting high stress (up from 36% three years prior) and 43% disliking school (up from 31%). Exam anxiety also increased across grades, from 29% of fifth graders to 64% of ninth graders fearing tests. Meanwhile, 9% of students admitted using AI for homework, including 6% of elementary and 11% of junior-high pupils. The survey also revealed a lack of accountability awareness, with half of respondents unsure who should be responsible for AI errors. The findings underscore growing digital dependency, emotional isolation, and academic pressure among Taiwanese youth, prompting calls for intervention in education and mental health support.