Supporting Your Child’s Use of AI in Healthy, Empowering Ways
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blog author Liz Schoeben, MFt
Artificial intelligence has become part of everyday life—from homework help to creative projects to social interactions. For many kids, AI feels as natural as playing video games or using their smartphones. As parents, our goal isn’t to shield them from AI but to guide them toward using it in ways that are safe, responsible, and growth-promoting.
Here’s how you can support your child’s use of AI in healthy, balanced ways.
1. Start with Open Conversations
Kids often explore new technologies quietly, so begin by asking questions—not out of fear, but curiosity.
“What apps or tools are you using that use AI?”
“What do you like about them?”
“Do you ever get answers that seem wrong or confusing?”
Normalizing these conversations helps your child feel safe sharing both the good and bad.
2. Teach Them How to Fact-Check
AI tools are helpful, but not perfect. They can make mistakes, present information without context, or reflect bias.
Help your child learn to double-check important information by:
Looking for information from more than one source
Checking reputable sites or trusted school resources
Asking a teacher or adult for confirmation
Not assuming AI outputs are always accurate
This builds critical thinking—one of the most important skills in the AI era.
3. Encourage AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement
Remind your child that AI is meant to support their thinking, not replace it.
Healthy uses include:
Brainstorming ideas for projects
Understanding difficult concepts in simpler language
Practicing skills (languages, math, writing, coding, etc.)
Exploring interests creatively
Less healthy uses include relying on AI to:
Do assignments for them
Bypass effort or learning
Avoid practicing challenging skills
Set the tone that AI is like a calculator: incredibly useful, but only after you understand the basics yourself.
4. Model Healthy Use Yourself
Kids watch what we do far more than what we say.
Show them how you use AI in thoughtful, balanced ways:
Asking it for help organizing tasks
Using it to spark ideas, not replace your thinking
Verifying its information
Setting limits around screen time
When parents model healthy tool use, kids follow suit.
5. Create Guidelines Together
Instead of laying down rules, involve your child in creating shared expectations. This increases buy-in and reduces conflict.
Possible guidelines:
Use AI for learning, not shortcuts
No sharing personal information
Double-check facts before using them in schoolwork
Tell an adult if something feels off or concerning
Set time limits so AI tools don’t replace play or social interaction
This helps kids feel responsible and capable—not policed.
6. Discuss Safety and Privacy
Kids often don’t realize that AI systems may store prompts or use data to improve their models.
Teach them:
Never enter private information (full name, address, school, etc.)
Be cautious with photos or identifying details
Ask before uploading anything personal
Understand the difference between public and private tools
A simple rule: If you wouldn’t tell it to a stranger, don’t type it into AI.
7. Make AI a Family Learning Opportunity
Explore AI tools together to show that it’s okay to learn alongside them. Try:
Creating art or stories together
Asking AI to explain a concept you’re both curious about
Practicing a new language
Researching a shared hobby
This builds a sense of collaboration rather than surveillance.
8. Focus on Building Digital Confidence, Not Fear
Kids are growing up in a world where AI will be a major part of school, work, and relationships. The goal isn’t to scare them, but to prepare them.
Healthy messages sound like:
“You’re in charge of how you use technology.”
“AI can make you smarter and more creative when you use it well.”
“If something doesn’t feel right, you can always talk to me.”
Confidence—not fear—helps them become thoughtful digital citizens.
Final Thoughts
AI isn’t going away, and it shouldn’t have to. With guidance, children can use these tools in ways that boost creativity, deepen learning, and build essential 21st-century skills. Our job is to help them stay grounded, curious, and critical as they navigate these new possibilities.
