Parental AI Investment Behaviours and AI ‐Mediated Informal Digital Learning of English: The Chain Mediating Role of Children's Perceived AI Value and Effort Expectancy for AI

ABSTRACT Background The proliferation of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has popularised AI‐Mediated Informal Digital Learning of English (AI‐IDLE). Whilst research in this area is growing, social influencing factors, especially the role of parents as significant others, remain underexplored. Objectives Guided by the Situational Expectancy‐Value Theory (SEVT), this study aims to investigate the impact of parental AI investment behaviours on students' engagement in AI‐IDLE. It specifically examines the mediating roles of Perceived AI Value and Effort Expectancy for AI in this relationship. Methods A questionnaire survey was administered to 2346 primary and secondary school students in China. The…