50% of Parents Positive About Children Using Generative AI, But About 60% Struggle with How to Let Them Use It; Top Concerns: "AI Dependency," "Decreased Thinking Ability," "Misinformation Risk" [Hanamaru Education Research Institute Survey on Children's Engagement with Generative AI]

Hanamaru Education Research Institute, operated by Hanamaru Group (Koyu Co., Ltd., Headquarters: Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, Representative: Masanobu Takahama), which operates cram schools such as 'Hanamaru Learning School,' conducted an 'Awareness Survey on Children's Engagement with Generative AI' targeting 268 parents. As a result, while 50% (54.3%) of parents are positive about their children using generative AI, approximately half (55.1%) struggle with how to let them use it, revealing a reality of wavering between utilization and anxiety. Furthermore, 30% (32.8%) of parents are undecided about letting their children use it, and nearly 90% (88.7%) have not discussed it sufficiently within the family, highlighting a situation where judgment criteria are not shared. Regarding concerns about children's generative AI use, 'AI dependency' (66.4%), 'decreased thinking ability' (63.4%), and 'misinformation risk' (54.7%) were ranked highest. Meanwhile, parents' own generative AI usage has reached 83.0%, indicating widespread daily penetration, yet confusion arises regarding its application to children. In response to these findings, a lecture for parents titled 'What is the Best Parenting in an Era of Drastic Change due to AI?' by Masanobu Takahama, themed on how to approach children in the age of generative AI, is scheduled to be streamed online on Thursday, April 16th. An archive will be available for one month. [Details and application here: https://kosodate20260416.peatix.com/view] ■ Key Survey Results 1. Over 80% of Parents Use Generative AI, Daily Utilization is Advancing 2. 50% (54.3%) Are Positive About Children Using Generative AI, While 30% (30.9%) Express Hesitation 3. Approximately Half (55.1%) of Parents Have Concerns About How to Let Their Children Use It 4. Top 3 Reasons for Anxiety: 'AI Dependency' (66.4%), 'Decreased Thinking Ability' (63.4%), 'Misinformation Risk' (54.7%) 5. Nearly 90% (88.7%) Have Not Discussed It Within the Family 6. Only 30% (26.0%) of Parents Are Aware of Their Children's Generative AI Usage. Discrepancies Exist Between Households, Leading to Varied Responses. 7. Many Parents Are Uncertain About Children's Generative AI Use and Boundaries; Development of Social Rules is a Challenge (Free-response) ■ Details 1. Over 80% of Parents Use Generative AI, Daily Utilization is Advancing When asked about parents' own generative AI usage, 'frequently use' (40.0%) and 'occasionally use' (43.0%) combined amounted to 83.0%, indicating that over 80% of parents utilize generative AI in some form. Including those who have 'heard of it but never used it' (9.1%) and 'never used it but are interested' (7.5%), awareness and interest in generative AI have spread to almost everyone, showing its penetration into daily life. Furthermore, regarding usage scenarios for generative AI, 'daily information gathering' (59.2%) and 'work efficiency improvement' (51.3%) ranked highest, followed by 'daily text creation' (35.1%) and 'consultation for work-related issues' (28.3%). On the other hand, utilization in 'child-rearing and education' was only 20.0%, suggesting that its application to children within the home is still limited. The expansion of uses varies by individual, revealing disparities in usage status among households. 2. 50% (54.3%) Are Positive About Children Using Generative AI, While 30% (30.9%) Express Hesitation Conversely, when asked about their thoughts on letting children use generative AI, 'actively want them to use it' (18.1%) and 'would rather let them use it' (36.2%) combined to 54.3%, showing a certain positive stance. However, 'cannot decide yet/thinking about it' (30.9%), 'would rather not let them use it' (10.9%), and 'do not want them to use it' (3.8%) indicate that over 40% hold a cautious stance, revealing that many parents are undecided. 3. Approximately Half (55.1%) of Parents Have Concerns About How to Let Their Children Use It When asked if they have concerns or hesitations about how children interact with generative AI, 'yes' (55.1%) was the response from a majority of parents, exceeding 'no' (44.9%). This indicates that more than one in two parents harbors some form of conflict or anxiety regarding how to involve their children with generative AI. 4. Top 3 Reasons for Anxiety: 'AI Dependency' (66.4%), 'Decreased Thinking Ability' (63.4%), 'Misinformation Risk' (54.7%) When asked about concerns regarding children using generative AI, 'over-reliance on AI' (66.4%) was the most common, followed by 'not developing the ability to think for themselves' (63.4%) and 'believing incorrect information' (54.7%). Other concerns included 'letting AI handle homework and assignments' (35.1%), 'reduced human interaction and communication' (24.2%), and 'not knowing how to teach usage and rules' (22.6%). These concerns, alongside the convenience, reveal a widespread shared anxiety about dependency, decreased thinking ability, and information literacy. 5. Nearly 90% (88.7%) Have Not Discussed It Within the Family When asked about the discussion status between spouses (partners) regarding children's generative AI use, only 11.3% had 'already discussed it concretely.' The remaining nearly 90% (88.7%) had either 'briefly touched upon it but not discussed deeply' or 'not discussed it at all.' Specifically, 'briefly mentioned it but not discussed deeply' (27.9%) and 'want to discuss but haven't yet' (17.0%) combined to 44.9%. Additionally, 'not discussed/hadn't thought about it' (40.4%) was the most frequent response. 6. Only 30% (26.0%) of Parents Are Aware of Their Children's Generative AI Usage. Discrepancies Exist Between Households, Leading to Varied Responses. Regarding children's generative AI usage status, 'already using it (parents are aware)' (26.0%) combined with 'think they are using it, but don't know the details' (17.0%) amounted to 43.0%, indicating that a considerable number of children are exposed to generative AI. On the other hand, 'don't think they have used it' (50.9%) and 'don't know/not aware' (6.0%) also exist, suggesting differences in awareness and recognition of usage status among households. 7. Many Parents Are Uncertain About Children's Generative AI Use and Boundaries; Development of Social Rules is a Challenge (Free-response) 'AI is unavoidable now, but first, I want to foster rich language and the ability to think with that language in children.' 'I worry that if the time to struggle to find answers disappears, the brain's function and spirituality will weaken.' 'Many adults are not using it effectively, so I feel it is extremely dangerous for children to use it and go the easy route before they even try to research things themselves with their own hands and feet.' 'Parents themselves don't understand how to use generative AI well, so they become critical of their children using it.' 'AI is unavoidable now, but first, I want to foster rich language and the ability to think with that language in children.' 'I believe AI utilization is inevitable in the coming era, but I am always concerned about how children, whose main job is academics, can coexist with AI.' ■ Analysis (Masanobu Takahama, Director of Hanamaru Education Research Institute) In recent years, through dialogues with educators and parents, I have strongly felt the rapid integration of generative AI into daily life. This survey also shows that over 80% of parents are already using generative AI in some form, indicating its acceptance as a 'convenient tool' by adults. On the other hand, precisely because they recognize its convenience, many voices express hesitation about 'how much they should let their children use it.' In practice, cases of children engaging with generative AI are steadily increasing, but the way they interact varies greatly by household. While some families actively utilize it, others hardly let their children use it, and many report 'not even knowing if they are using it.' This disparity seems to stem not from the technology itself, but from the lack of a sufficiently formed social consensus on 'how to approach it.' Furthermore, this survey revealed that discussions on this topic are not adequately held between spouses or partners. Despite being a crucial theme related to children's education, it tends to be postponed amidst daily busyness, often resulting in ambiguous policies within each household. What is particularly noteworthy is that over half of parents express concerns and hesitations about their children's generative AI use. The reasons for anxiety, such as 'over-reliance on AI,' 'not developing the ability to think for themselves,' and 'believing incorrect information,' suggest that parents intuitively grasp the risks underlying the convenience. This, in turn, can be seen as proof that parents highly value their children's thinking ability and autonomy. Ideally, technology is a tool to support children's growth and cannot be simply judged as good or bad. What is important is the perspective of 'how to use it,' rather than 'whether to use it or not.' To achieve this, it is crucial for education in the future to create an environment where children can think and utilize AI proactively, by sharing rules and values not just within families but across schools and society as a whole, I believe. ■ Survey Overview Survey Conducted: February 15 - March 8, 2026 Target Audience: Parents who participated in Masanobu Takahama's lectures hosted by Hanamaru Learning School (Tokyo, Ibaraki, Hyogo prefectures) Valid Responses: 268 Survey Method: Internet survey ■ About Hanamaru Education Research Institute URL: https://www.hanamarugroup.jp/edu-lab/ Hanamaru Education Research Institute was established to research and disseminate information on social issues surrounding education and child-rearing, based on the knowledge gained from over 30 years of educational practice by the Hanamaru Group. Through information dissemination rooted in actual field conditions, it aims to provide hints for future education and child-rearing. Masanobu Takahama, representative of Hanamaru Learning School, serves as the director, with researchers including Hisaharu Imoto, a leading figure in mathematical thinking education who has practiced thinking skills education at Eiko Gakuen Junior and Senior High School for over 20 years, and Aya Kanie, a psychiatrist and medical doctor. Born in Hitoyoshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture in 1959. Graduated from Kumamoto Prefectural High School and entered the University of Tokyo. Graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tokyo, and completed a Master's degree at the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Founded 'Hanamaru Learning School' in 1993, which exceeded 20,000 members in its 23rd year. Representative of Hanamaru Learning School, Chairman of NPO Kosodate Ouentai Mugigumi. Member of the Mathematics Olympiad problem-setting committee. Visiting Professor at Musashino Art University. Visiting Professor at Pacific Rim University (IPU). Advisor to the Nihon Ki-in (Japan Chess Association). A Pícker for the news sharing service 'NewsPicks'. • Hanamaru Education Research Institute Members ◼︎ Koyu Co., Ltd. Company Overview & Business List For over 30 years since 1993, we have been operating cram schools, primarily focusing on 'Hanamaru Learning School,' which fosters 'insight,' 'perseverance,' and 'charisma,' and 'School FC,' which aims to nurture children who can 'study happily' and 'learn independently.' Currently, the group operates approximately 450 classrooms mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan area. In 2024, Cass Capital Co., Ltd. became a shareholder, strengthening management for further nationwide expansion. ◆ Company Overview Company Name: Koyu Co., Ltd. (Hanamaru Group) Representative: Masanobu Takahama Location: 9-19-10 Tokiwa, Urawa-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture Established: February 2, 1993 Business Activities: Operation of cram schools 'Hanamaru Learning School,' 'School FC,' etc. Official Website: https://www.hanamarugroup.jp/ ◆ Related Businesses • Cram School 'Hanamaru Learning School' This cram school aims to nurture children into 'adults who can earn a living and are attractive individuals' by fostering three abilities: 'the power to discern the essence,' 'the power to see things through,' and 'the power to attract people.' Targeting kindergarten and elementary school students, it develops children's academic ability and life skills through weekly classes and seasonal outdoor experiences. URL: https://www.hanamarugroup.jp/hanamaru/ • Outdoor Experiences | Summer School, Snow Country School, Parent-Child Programs, etc. Outdoor experiences for Hanamaru Group members, attended by 10,000 people annually. Through overnight stays away from parents, serious play in nature, and group living with children they meet for the first time, children experience a 'mini-society.' URL: https://hanamaruyagai.jp/ • School FC | Entrance Exam Cram School for 'Happy Examinations' School FC, as Hanamaru Group's entrance exam cram school, provides instruction for junior high and high school entrance exams in the Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama prefectures. Exams are not the goal but an important stepping stone for future growth. At School FC, we value fostering the ability to 'learn independently' rather than 'studying because you're told to.' We want children to not only achieve their dreams but also to experience the confidence gained through effort and the joy of learning—this is our concept of a 'happy examination.' Our strength lies in our guidance that believes in children's potential and supports each individual. URL: https://www.schoolfc.jp • School FC Sigma TECH Course | Hybrid Online and In-Person Course with No.1 Track Record in Exam Success within School FC This junior high school entrance exam cram school allows students to have dinner at home. Through two days of school attendance per week and individual tutoring, students can balance family time and diverse childhood experiences while aiming for their desired school. This new learning style, 'eating dinner at home slowly and passing the exam,' is a unique proposal from Hanamaru Group that balances exam preparation with a fulfilling elementary school life. URL: https://sigmatech.schoolfc.jp/ • Free School Business | 'Hanamaru Elementary School' Hanamaru Elementary School is a free school for children who have chosen not to attend regular school. Many students with unique talents, such as national champions in wrestling and shogi, or doctors of ancient Japanese characters from hundreds of years ago, are enrolled or have graduated. While valuing foundational academic and physical abilities, our goal is to nurture children who can think and act independently. Children invariably change and grow depending on their environment. For their growth, we think together with the children, act together with them, and walk together with them. URL: https://hanamaru-eschool.jp/