Raising Kids in the Age of AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shaping the way our families use technology every day.

From chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini to YouTube’s endless “you might also like” videos, AI is now part of daily life. For our kids, it feels natural. For us, it can feel equal parts exciting and overwhelming.

For many kids, this is all second nature. They’re confident, curious, and often ahead of us when it comes to trying new tools. But while they may know how to use the technology, they don’t always know how to judge what’s safe, what’s real, or what’s healthy. That’s where we, as parents, grandparents, and community, come in.

Take generative AI for example. This is the kind of tool that creates new stories, pictures, or videos at the tap of a button — ChatGPT, Gemini, Midjourney, or Sora. Some schools are already encouraging kids to use these for brainstorming and storytelling, and used well, they can be fantastic for sparking ideas. But they can also make mistakes, or create content that looks real when it isn’t. Just as we once reminded kids to double-check what they read in books or on Google, we now need to encourage them to question what they see from AI too.

Another thing to remember is that AI often feels “friendly.” Chatbots are clever at sounding empathetic, and recommendation systems seem helpful when they suggest “what to watch next.” But the truth is, their goal is to keep us online. It’s worth reminding our kids that while bots are fun to chat with, they’re not real friends.

Of course, not all AI use is innocent. Tools like deepfakes can now put one person’s face onto another’s body in seconds. While some kids might see this as just silly fun, the reality is these creations can cause harm or embarrassment. This is where our role as adults is vital, keeping conversations open about respect, privacy, and why sharing photos (their own or their friends’) should always be done with care.

So, how do we approach this new technology? Try out an AI tool with your child and have a laugh at what it creates. Share your thoughts about what feels clever and what feels a bit off. Agree together on which tools are okay in your household and when devices can be used.

Finally, model what healthy use looks like. If our kids see us scrolling endlessly, they’ll think that’s normal. But if they see us balancing screen time with family time, they’ll learn that too.

AI might be new, but the heart of parenting hasn’t changed. By keeping the conversation alive and celebrating the creativity of our tamariki, we can help them use these powerful tools wisely.