The Promise of Digital Technology and Generative AI for Supporting Parenting Interventions in Latin America

Nearly half of young children in low- and middle-income countries fail to reach their developmental potential by age five, and disparities are particularly stark in Latin America. Parenting interventions have been proven to enhance early childhood development (ECD) in specific domains; however, traditional in-person models are costly and challenging to scale. This paper reviews the growing evidence on digital parenting programs in the region, including those using SMS, WhatsApp, mobile apps, and emerging AI-based tools. Experimental studies have demonstrated that low-cost digital tools can enhance parental engagement, alleviate stress, and, in some cases, improve children’s cognitive and language outcomes. However, most evaluations remain limited by small samples, short time horizons, and scarce evidence on child-level impacts or long-term effects. We highlight the challenges of engagement, equity, and scalability, and present the Chat2Learn program in Peru, a next-generation model that leverages conversational AI. We conclude with recommendations for rigorous evaluations, hybrid delivery models, and embedding digital parenting supports into government systems.