# "If anybody finds out you are in BIG TROUBLE": Understanding Children's Hopes, Fears, and Evaluations of Generative AI

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.16089 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2505.16089/

## Key facts

- Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 22 May 2025.

## Built on by (most cited first, 2 of 2)

- [Toys that listen, talk, and play: Understanding Children's Sensemaking and Interactions with AI Toys](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2604.02629/) (2026)
- [Where Does AI Leave a Footprint? Children's Reasoning About AI's Environmental Costs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2603.27376/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

As generative artificial intelligence (genAI) increasingly mediates how children learn, communicate, and engage with digital content, understanding children's hopes and fears about this emerging technology is crucial. In a pilot study with 37 fifth-graders, we explored how children (ages 9-10) envision genAI and the roles they believe it should play in their daily life. Our findings reveal three key ways children envision genAI: as a companion providing guidance, a collaborator working alongside them, and a task automator that offloads responsibilities. However, alongside these hopeful views, children expressed fears about overreliance, particularly in academic settings, linking it to fears of diminished learning, disciplinary consequences, and long-term failure. This study highlights the need for child-centric AI design that balances these tensions, empowering children with the skills to critically engage with and navigate their evolving relationships with digital technologies.