Brighterly Survey Finds Parents Worry AI Can Hide Learning Gaps

Sep 16, 2026
A survey of 1,177 U.S. parents found that 50.9% think AI tools make it easier for children to hide a lack of understanding.

In a press release, Brighterly said 50.9% of surveyed parents agreed that AI tools make it easier for children to hide that they do not understand schoolwork. Agreement rose to 68.7% among parents who consulted AI chatbots for schoolwork advice at least weekly, compared with 38.6% among those who never did.

The survey found that 58.6% of parents whose children earned mostly A grades or A and B grades said their child had struggled or fallen behind in math or reading during the previous 12 months. The figure was 60.7% across all respondents and 46.5% among parents of children earning mostly A grades.

When concerned about schoolwork, 48.4% of parents first contacted their child's teacher, while 2% first consulted an AI assistant. Pollfish conducted the online survey from August 5 to 15, 2026, among 1,177 U.S. parents or guardians of children in kindergarten through 10th grade.

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