'How Do Fish Breathe Underwater?': Amazon Alexa Study Reveals 54% Parents Stumped By Children's Inquiries. 80% Use Tech To Find Answer

“How big is the universe?”, “Why do parents have to work?”, “How to make a car?”, more. The study offers an interesting insight into the many queries from kids and their behaviour.

A recent study commissioned by Amazon Alexa and conducted by marketing data and analytics firm Kantar in June 2024 highlights a common challenge faced by parents: answering their children's endless questions. The survey, which included over 750 parents from six cities, found that 54 per cent of respondents frequently feel unprepared to provide immediate answers to their kids' inquiries.

The study indicates that while 52 per cent of parents quickly search for accurate responses when unsure, 44 per cent resort to improvising answers on the spot. Only a small fraction, about 3 per cent, avoid the questions or change the subject.

What Do Kids Ask?

Typical questions from curious children include “How to make a car?”, “How big is the universe?”, “How does an airplane fly?”, and “How do fish breathe underwater?”.

Interestingly, 60 per cent of parents reported being stumped by seemingly simple questions such as “What season comes between winter and summer?”, “Why do parents have to work?”, and “Why do we wash vegetables?”.

Additionally, 37 per cent of parents admitted to redirecting these questions to their partners.

When Do Children Ask The Most Questions?

Children's curiosity peaks during various activities, with 63 per cent of parents noting that TV-watching triggers the most questions. Other activities that spark curiosity include travelling (57 per cent), studying (56 per cent), outdoor activities (55 per cent), using handheld devices (52 per cent), and listening to adult conversations (50 per cent).

Popular topics of inquiry among kids include food, animals, nature, general knowledge, holidays, technology, and movies.

How Technology Lends A Helping Hand

The survey also underscores the role of technology in aiding parents. Over 80 per cent of parents use technological tools to find information to answer their children’s questions. Voice AI services like Amazon Alexa, available on devices such as Echo smart speakers, or other digital assistants including the likes of Google's Gemini or Apple's Siri are particularly useful in providing quick and accurate responses, fostering children's natural curiosity.

Furthermore, more than 90 per cent of parents encourage their children to ask questions, recognising the educational value. About 92 per cent of parents reported that they learn new things themselves through the process of addressing their kids' queries.