Artificial Intelligence (AI)
A practical guide for helping your family navigate the challenges and opportunities brought on by this rapidly evolving technology.
AI is already in your child's life.
Your child is probably already using AI. It powers the algorithms that decide what they see on social media, the chatbots they can talk to, and an increasing number of tools being used in classrooms. Many parents feel behind. That's okay. You don't need to master everything. Just start somewhere.
This page breaks down what parents need to know across three areas: at home, at school, and in policy.
Protect.
AI chatbots designed as "friends" or "mentors" — apps like Character.AI, Replika, Chai, and Snapchat's My AI — are emerging rapidly, and some have already been linked to serious harm. These are not the same as using AI for a homework question. A child forming an emotional bond with an algorithm is a fundamentally different and more dangerous proposition. Until these products are proven safe, keep them away from your kids.
AI models generate text that sounds authoritative but can be completely wrong. They don't "know" things — they predict what word comes next, and they frequently make things up with total confidence. Kids need to understand that AI can and does produce falsehoods, and that verifying information through reliable sources is a skill that matters more than ever.
Productive struggle isn't just important for learning — it's essential for building relationships and navigating discomfort. When kids use AI to skip the hard parts — writing an essay, solving a math problem, working through a confusing concept, or even drafting a difficult text to a friend — they miss the very process that builds knowledge, resilience, and emotional intelligence. The struggle is the growth. Dr. Becky explains why this matters.
AI "nudify" tools can transform an ordinary photo into a sexually explicit image in seconds. This is already happening in schools — students are using these tools against classmates, with devastating consequences. Reports of AI-generated child sexual abuse material surged from 4,700 in 2023 to 440,000 in the first half of 2025 alone. Kids need to know: creating, sharing, or possessing these images is illegal, it causes real harm, and the consequences are serious.
Keep in mind
- Human relationships first. If your child is struggling emotionally, an AI chatbot is not a substitute for a trusted adult, counselor, or therapist.
- Ask what they're seeing. Try questions like "Have you used ChatGPT?" or "What are your friends using AI for?" You may be surprised how much they already know.
- Report explicit imagery: If your child is the victim of AI-generated explicit images, report it to the NCMEC CyberTipline.
- If your child is in distress: Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line).
- Go deeper: ParentMap — Tips for talking to kids about generative AI
Prepare.
AI is entering classrooms faster than most schools can develop policies for it. Here's what parents can do:
If AI is writing the essay, solving the problem, or generating the project, your child isn't learning. Ask teachers how they're ensuring students are doing the thinking, not the machine.
Schools should be transparent about which AI tools are being used in the classroom, why they were chosen, and what student data they collect.
A tool being "safe" for data privacy is not the same as it being effective for learning. Ask whether there's actual evidence that the tool improves educational outcomes.
Families should have a voice in how AI is introduced in their child's school. Push for parent representation on technology review committees.
Reading, writing, and math fluency remain foundational. No AI tool should replace the development of these core skills.
Keep in mind
- The amplifier rule. AI magnifies whatever a student brings to it. A student with strong foundational skills can use AI to go further. A student without them falls further behind.
- Ask your school: What AI tools are approved for classroom use? What data do they collect? Is there a parent review process?
- Go deeper: Brookings — How AI affects kids' critical thinking
Advocate.
The rules governing AI and children are still being written. Parents have a role to play in shaping them.
Support accountability for harmful products. Companies that design AI products targeting children should be held responsible when those products cause harm.
Protect minors thoughtfully. Age verification and access controls for AI tools should be practical and enforceable, not theater.
Invest in human skills. Policy should prioritize building the skills AI can't replace: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and moral reasoning.
Contact your representatives. Your state and federal legislators are hearing from the tech industry every day. They need to hear from parents, too.
Keep in mind
- Three levers for change: Norms (what families and communities expect), laws (what legislators require), and design (what companies build). All three matter.
- The Take It Down Act became federal law, making it illegal to distribute non-consensual intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes.
- Your voice matters. The tech industry has full-time lobbyists. Legislators need to hear directly from parents about what's happening in their kids' lives.
Start with one thing.
You don't need to understand everything about AI to protect your kids. Pick one action from this page and start there. Talk to your child about AI chatbots. Ask a teacher what tools they're using. Email a school board member. One step is enough to get moving.
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