Navigating the Digital Divide: The Dangers of ChatGPT for High School Student Success

10/31/2023

by Jessica Satkunasingham, LMSW

In today's digital age, technology has significantly impacted the way students learn and interact with the world. One of the latest advancements in artificial intelligence is ChatGPT, a powerful language model that can generate human-like text responses. While ChatGPT has many potential benefits, such as assisting with homework and answering questions, it also poses dangers that can hinder high school students' success. In this blog, we will explore these dangers and discuss how students, parents, and educators can mitigate the negative impacts.

One of the primary dangers of ChatGPT is the temptation for students to become overly reliant on it for their academic needs. While it can provide quick answers and explanations, this convenience can lead to students neglecting the development of crucial problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Relying too heavily on ChatGPT may hinder a student's ability to research, analyze, and learn independently.

As parents and educators, we can encourage students to use ChatGPT as a tool to aide in their writing instead of a primary source of information. Educators and parents should show the importance of independent learning and critical thinking skills.

Another significant concern is the potential for students to use ChatGPT to plagiarize content for assignments and exams. ChatGPT can generate text on various topics, making it tempting for students to copy and paste responses without understanding the material. This not only undermines their education but also goes against academic integrity principles.

To combat this, educators should promote a strong culture of academic honesty and educate students about the consequences of plagiarism. Encourage them to use ChatGPT as a resource for understanding concepts but emphasize the importance of putting information into their own words. Student should also be made aware of the fact that ChatGPT can recognize their own writing, so regardless of how much they believe they edit the writing they will still be caught being dishonest about their writing.

ChatGPT and similar technologies can hinder students' development of essential communication skills. When students turn to ChatGPT for social interaction or assistance with written communication, they may miss out on opportunities to improve their writing, speaking, and interpersonal skills. This can affect their ability to succeed in both academic and real-world settings. We should encourage students to engage in face-to-face communication, collaborate on projects, and practice writing and public speaking regularly. Balance technology use with real-life interactions.

Creativity is a crucial aspect of a well-rounded education, but ChatGPT can stifle it. When students rely on predefined responses generated by AI, they may struggle to develop their unique ideas and creative problem-solving abilities.This can hinder their success in subjects like art, literature, and innovation-focused classes. Students should be encouraged to explore creative outlets, such as art, music, and writing, that allow them to express their unique perspectives and ideas. Use ChatGPT as a tool to enhance creativity rather than replace it.

Lastly, using ChatGPT and similar AI technologies may pose privacy and security risks. Students may unknowingly share personal information or engage in conversations that compromise their safety. It's crucial for students to be aware of these risks and exercise caution when using AI-powered chatbots. Students need to be educated about online safety, privacy settings, and the potential risks associated with AI chatbots. Encourage them to use these tools responsibly.

While ChatGPT and AI technologies have the potential to enhance learning and provide valuable assistance, they also come with dangers that can hinder high school students' success. It is essential for students, parents, and educators to be aware of these risks and take proactive steps to mitigate them. By striking a balance between technology use and traditional learning methods, we can ensure that students are equipped with the skills they need to succeed academically and in life.