About Half of Elementary, Junior High, and High School Students Use Generative AI for Studying and Homework - Survey of 1,000 Parents Reveals the Reality of "Learning in the AI Era" - Meiko Gijuku Survey "Survey on Changes in Children's Learning"

Meiko Network Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo), which operates the individual tutoring cram school "Meiko Gijuku" nationwide, conducted a "Survey on Changes in Children's Learning" targeting 1,000 parents of children from 5th grade elementary school to 3rd grade high school.

With the spread of learning apps and video learning, and the advent of generative AI, children's learning methods have changed dramatically from just a few years ago. While convenient tools have increased, many parents may be rethinking what skills are truly necessary for their children. They want their children to grow not only in memorizing knowledge but also in being able to think for themselves and learn in their own way. It feels like more and more parents have this desire.

In light of these changing times, Meiko Gijuku conducted a survey targeting parents of elementary, junior high, and high school students on contemporary parenting attitudes and the reality of children's learning. We hope that by broadly hearing the daily feelings of parents and their expectations for schools and cram schools, it will serve as an opportunity to think together about the future of learning.

Overview of "Survey on Changes in Children's Learning" Results

- About half of elementary, junior high, and high school students use generative AI for studying and homework.

- In the generative AI era, parents' top expectation for schools and cram schools is the cultivation of "the ability to think for oneself."

- Even in the generative AI era, 82.2% of parents responded that "human instruction is necessary for children's learning."

- The most emphasized aspect of modern parenting is "respecting children's autonomy."

- 34.7% of children who use generative AI as a confidant started using it in elementary school.

Q1 To what extent do your children use generative AI (such as ChatGPT) for studying and homework? (n=1,000, single response)

About half of elementary, junior high, and high school students use generative AI for studying and homework

A survey of 1,000 parents nationwide with children from 5th grade elementary school to 3rd grade high school on how much their children use generative AI (such as ChatGPT) for studying and homework revealed that 12.0% "use it almost every day," 22.8% "use it several times a week," and 13.8% "use it several times a month," totaling 48.6%, indicating that about half of children use generative AI for studying and homework.

Generative AI is expanding into children's learning environments, and it appears that a certain number of children are using it on a daily basis. Going forward, how to incorporate generative AI into learning and utilize it effectively is likely to be one of the important themes for households and educational settings.

Q2 With the spread of generative AI, what are your expectations for schools and cram schools regarding your children's education? (n=1,000, multiple responses)

In the generative AI era, parents' top expectation for schools and cram schools is the cultivation of "the ability to think for oneself."

A survey on expectations for schools and cram schools regarding children's education in the age of generative AI revealed that the most frequent response was "cultivating the ability to think for oneself and a proactive learning attitude" (38.3%). This was followed by "cultivating thinking, judgment, and expression skills" (33.5%) and "instilling good study habits" (31.4%).

Even with the increasing use of generative AI, it is evident that parents expect schools and cram schools to foster children's ability to think independently and learn proactively, not just to acquire knowledge. While learning support tools are evolving, it has become clear that many parents emphasize the "ability to think and learn independently" as essential skills for navigating a rapidly changing era.

Q3 Do you believe that human instruction is necessary for children's learning, even with the spread of generative AI and free learning content? (n=1,000, single response)

Even in the generative AI era, "human instruction is necessary for children's learning" by 82.2% - Over 80% of parents!

A survey on whether human instruction is necessary for children's learning, despite the spread of generative AI (such as ChatGPT) and free learning content, showed that 82.2% responded "necessary" (36.6% "necessary," 45.6% "somewhat necessary").

While the use of generative AI and digital learning materials is advancing, it has become clear that many parents believe human instruction is indispensable for children's learning. Even as the learning environment undergoes significant changes, expectations for direct instruction from schools and cram schools as a support system for children's growth remain high.

Q4 What is the most important thing you are mindful of in modern parenting? (n=1,000, multiple responses)

The most emphasized aspect of modern parenting is "respecting children's autonomy" (44.8%).

A survey on what parents are most mindful of in modern parenting, amidst significant changes in the environment surrounding children such as the spread of smartphones, social media, and generative AI, revealed that the top response was "respecting children's autonomy" (44.8%). This was followed by "empathizing with children's feelings" (40.4%) and "creating a safe and secure environment" (37.1%).

Even as the environment surrounding children changes, parents appear to prioritize respecting their children's intentions and thoughts and watching them grow independently. Empathizing with children's feelings and creating a safe environment were also highly ranked, indicating that parents value raising children who support their children's autonomy and emotional growth.

Q5 From what grade did your children start using generative AI as a confidant for studying or daily life concerns? (n=265, single response)

34.7% of children who use generative AI as a confidant started using it in elementary school.

A survey of 265 parents who responded that their children use generative AI as a confidant for studying or daily life concerns revealed that the most frequent response was "1st year of junior high school" (17.4%). Furthermore, combining "before 4th grade of elementary school" (14.7%), "5th grade of elementary school" (10.2%), and "6th grade of elementary school" (9.8%) resulted in 34.7%, indicating that about one in three children have been using generative AI as a confidant since elementary school.

As generative AI becomes a familiar presence for children, it has become clear that it is being used not only for studying but also as a confidant for daily life concerns. The results suggest that the interaction between children and generative AI often begins at the elementary school level.

"Survey on Changes in Children's Learning" from Meiko Gijuku Business Headquarters

With the purpose of "Creating Memories of 'I Can Do It If I Try'," we are committed to education and instruction that enables each student to cultivate the "ability to think for themselves and learn independently." The survey conducted amidst the spread of AI also showed that parents' top expectation from cram schools is to foster "the ability to think for oneself" and "a proactive learning attitude." At Meiko Gijuku, we believe that such abilities are nurtured through the accumulation of small success experiences of "I can do it if I try." Success experiences build confidence, and that confidence leads to new challenges, thereby fostering the ability to think and act independently.

On the other hand, many parents believe that AI is necessary for future education. AI will play an increasingly important role in supporting learning optimized for each individual. However, children's autonomy and confidence are nurtured through dialogue and interaction with familiar adults. While actively utilizing AI, we place the utmost importance on the dialogue and support that only humans can provide, accumulating memories of "I can do it if I try" for each student, and fostering the ability to carve out their future.

Managing Director

Head of Meiko Gijuku Business Headquarters

Katsumi Saito

<Survey Overview>

Survey Target: 1,000 parents nationwide with children from 5th grade elementary school to 3rd grade high school

(Parents of elementary school students: 200, Parents of junior high school students: 400, Parents of high school students: 400)

Survey Period: June 19, 2026 - June 23, 2026

Survey Method: Internet research

*Response rates (%) are rounded to the second decimal place and displayed to the first decimal place, so the total may not always be 100%.

*When using the survey results from this release, please attribute them to "Survey by Meiko Gijuku."

Meiko Network Japan Co., Ltd. (https://www.meikonet.co.jp)

Business Description: As a company, we have set our Purpose as "Creating Memories of 'I Can Do It If I Try'" and our Vision as "Bright Light for the Future - A corporate group that unlocks human potential and realizes a bright future," and we operate and franchise various educational services, including the individual tutoring school "Meiko Gijuku."