Common Sense Media Releases New Research on EU Families' Views on AI

SAN FRANCISCO, May 11, 2026—Today, Common Sense Media and SocialSphere released new research on how families across the European Union view artificial intelligence. The findings reveal a wide generational gap: Teens and parents agree that AI will change everything, but kids are more optimistic about its impact.

The findings land against a backdrop of near-total distrust. Only 8 percent of parents are confident that AI companies are prioritizing teen safety. Just 14 percent trust the industry to innovate responsibly on its own. More than three-quarters say strong laws are needed.

Two-thirds of parents across Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain say AI will reshape society as profoundly as the internet or electricity. But when it comes to whether that change will be good, they part ways sharply with their children. A majority of teens say AI will improve society in the long run. Fewer than four in 10 parents agree. More than four in 10 say AI will actively hurt it.

The divide is sharpest in schools. Half of teens say AI will improve their learning. Only 22 percent of parents agree. Yet both generations align on one thing: 71 percent of teens and 66 percent of parents say schools should teach students how to use AI responsibly.

"AI will change everything, and families across the globe know it," said Common Sense Media Founder and CEO James P. Steyer. "Still, there's real uncertainty across generations about what the technology means for the future. This makes the need for safeguards more urgent than ever, and it's no surprise that families on both sides of the Atlantic are calling for stronger action from policymakers."

Parents are largely in the dark. Three-quarters say they know little or nothing about AI safety features. An equal share say strong safety laws are needed.

Meanwhile, teens are already deep into AI use, which parents are misreading. Parents tend to overestimate how often teens use AI for companionship and underestimate its most common use: searching for information.

"While the specifics of their views vary, one thing is clear: Families across the globe know that AI is the most transformational technology of our time," said SocialSphere Founder and CEO John Della Volpe. "They understand that AI brings enormous opportunity, but are clear that they need action to protect kids from the technology's very real risks."

The report's key findings include:

• Teens use AI more often and use it differently than parents think. Thirty-eight percent of teens use AI daily or most days (vs. 23 percent of parents), primarily for practical tasks like searching information (56 percent) and helping with schoolwork (48 percent), while parents overestimate how often teens use AI for companionship.
• School is the sharpest generational divide. Half of teens say AI will positively impact their learning; only 22 percent of parents agree. Yet 71 percent of teens and 66 percent of parents believe schools should teach students how to use AI responsibly.
• Europe contains distinct AI publics that track with national context more than shared continental patterns. Spanish teens are the most optimistic about AI's long-term impact (77 percent say it will help), while Dutch teens are the least (48 percent). Danish teens lead on daily AI use (49 percent), while Dutch teens are the least engaged (28 percent).
• AI-related economic anxiety lands hardest in Spain, Poland, and strained households. Thirty percent of teens worry about their economic future because of AI, rising to 48 percent in Spain and 36 percent in Poland. Concern is also higher among financially strained households (41 percent) compared with more financially comfortable households (23 percent).

Across generations, distrust in AI companies and support for stronger governance are overwhelmingly high. Only 8 percent of parents and a quarter of teens are confident that AI companies are prioritizing teen safety. More than three-quarters of parents say strong laws are needed; only 14 percent trust companies to innovate responsibly.

The full report can be found here.

About Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the research-backed information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the age of apps, algorithms, and AI. We rate, educate, and advocate to protect and prepare kids online. Our ratings, research, and resources reach more than 150 million users globally, over 1.4 million educators, and more than 100,000 schools worldwide every year. Learn more at commonsense.org