Teachers concerned as teens rely on chatbots for schoolwork

Teachers are sounding the alarm as more teens turn to AI chatbots to complete school assignments, a trend that many educators say is disrupting traditional learning.

The rise of AI-powered tools means students can generate essays, solve equations, or summarise readings within seconds, but teachers worry that the convenience comes at the cost of critical-thinking skills.

Reports have surfaced of teens accepting inaccurate explanations from chatbots, leading to confusion in subjects like physics and history.

Some teachers noted that chatbots often present information confidently even when it’s partially or entirely wrong, leaving students unable to distinguish fact from error.

That concern has intensified after several high-profile lawsuits alleging emotional harm linked to AI interactions, prompting fresh scrutiny of how young people engage with these systems.

Educators have also warned that reliance on chatbots blurs the line between assistance and academic dishonesty.

Many schools are now updating their digital-use policies, while others are experimenting with AI-literacy lessons to teach students how to verify what they read.

Despite the challenges, teachers have acknowledged that chatbots are unlikely to disappear from classrooms.