Great technological revolutions usually begin with enthusiasm and advance accompanied by uncertainty. Electricity, the internet and smartphones transformed daily life long before there were clear regulations on their use.. Today, artificial intelligence is going through a similar phase– It is quickly integrated into homes, schools and personal devices as society tries to understand its consequences.
Social perception no longer focuses only on the possibilities of technology, but also on Who should set the limits and how to protect those who use it from increasingly younger ages.
Most parents call for public regulation in AI
According to an international survey carried out by the American organization Common Sense Media and as reported EFEin Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands and Poland, 77% of parents consider it necessary for governments to pass specific laws to control the activity of artificial intelligence companies.
The data reflects growing concern about the lack of supervision. Only 14% of parents surveyed believe that technology companies will innovate responsibly without the need for external regulation. Distrust also extends to child protection: only 8% of adults and 27% of young people fully trust that these companies prioritize the safety of minors.
Various international organizations share this concern. UNESCO has already warned in its recommendations on the ethics of artificial intelligence that States must guarantee legal frameworks that protect fundamental rightsespecially in the educational and youth field.
Parents and children see AI differently
One of the most striking aspects of the study is the generational difference in the perception of the phenomenon. While adults view artificial intelligence with caution, adolescents naturally integrate it into their daily routine.
38% of young people say they use AI tools daily or almost every day, compared to 23% of adults. For many teenagers, these applications are already part of studying, leisure or searching for information.
However, youthful enthusiasm coexists with a certain critical reflection. Almost eight out of ten young people consider it important to learn to think independently without depending on artificial intelligence, and 27% recognize that its use can reduce motivation to solve tasks on their own.
Experts from the MIT Media Lab and the Joint Research Center of the European Commission have pointed out in recent studies that The key is not to prohibit these tools, but to teach digital skills that allow them to be used judiciously.
Despite the differences in perception, parents and children agree on a fundamental aspect: Education must adapt to the new technological scenario. 71% of teens and 66% of parents support schools teaching how to use artificial intelligence responsibly. This consensus points to the need to integrate digital literacy, critical thinking and technological ethics within the educational system.
The OECD emphasizes that human skills (creativity, critical analysis and problem solving) will be increasingly decisive in a labor market influenced by automation.
Spain, between concern and enthusiasm
The study also shows relevant particularities in the Spanish case. Young Spaniards stand out as the most concerned about their economic future due to artificial intelligence: 48% fear that it will negatively affect their job opportunities and 36% believe that it will make it difficult to find a job.
Still, they are also the most optimistic about its educational impact. 59% consider that AI will improve their learning and 82% show interest in using this type of tools to study. Among Spanish parents, three out of four believe that artificial intelligence will change daily life as profoundly as other major technological revolutions did.
The participation of international leaders and European policy makers reflects that AI regulation has become a strategic priority. In fact, the European Union is already moving forward with the AI Act, considered the first comprehensive legal framework to regulate this technology.
The challenge now is to balance innovation and protection. Artificial intelligence promises educational, scientific and economic advances, but also requires new social norms. And, the data shows, European families want to be an active part of that conversation before technological change is irreversible.