This morning, I had the pleasure of meeting up with a dear friend for brunch and exchanging heartfelt stories that moved us both to laughter and tears. College days consume our time with our oldest “babies,” and the senior year is on the horizon with our middle daughter. Add to that a little one who is about to head into her final year of elementary school, and my momma heart is a bit of a mess. Yep! We are in a phase of life that doesn’t miss a beat, moves at a pace that is simply hard to keep up with, and honestly brings on waves of panic at times. So, sitting down to enjoy a meal with a sweet friend was the highlight of my day. I might also add that it provided a much-needed breath of fresh air for my weary soul.
Yet, while we shared simple pleasantries and the usual topics that take shape in this season, something that came to the forefront and seemed to perplex us both was the rapid emergence and ever-changing growth of AI. Even more, how AI is shaping the future and the impacts it will have on our children.
Honestly, parenting is hard enough, but add the unknown and the uncontrollable, and it can feel absolutely overwhelming, all-consuming, and even scary. This is where many parents (including myself) find themselves when it pertains to the depths and complexities of AI. After all, AI is no longer in the future. It is already here! That means we must seek to understand how AI is affecting this generation and what we can do about it.
The Good News
The bottom line is that AI is already a big part of our kids’ everyday lives. It is submerged in their classrooms, offering immediate answers, shaping what they see and learn online, and, in many ways, evoking emotions linked to human likeness. Sure, this can feel pretty unsettling and quite intimidating, but the silver lining is that many of these AI tools are quite helpful.
According to TruPlay, an online safe Bible-based game program, “AI-powered Bible apps can adapt Scripture memory programs to your child's age, learning style, and progress. A struggling reader might receive audio support while an advanced student gets deeper theological questions. For children with learning disabilities, visual impairments, or other challenges, AI can be genuinely transformative… AI can also generate creative prompts for family devotions, suggest age-appropriate worship songs, or help children write prayers based on biblical themes.”
Other benefits of AI include broadening access to communities in need by providing health and education. Many AI resources are even offering ways to explore unreached areas to spread the gospel (Mark 16:15)! While these tools should never replace human connection, they are creating spaces to foster lifelong learning and growth. That is indeed good!
The Not So Good News
Of course, the concerns surrounding AI are endless and valid. As these technologies merge into more human-like forms, gain information at warp speed, and morph into unfamiliar unknowns at such an exponential rate, it raises some red flags. While the current trends may be fascinating, they certainly pose risks we need to be aware of to protect our children and families.
According to a recent documentary, The AI Doc, the creators of these platforms, along with highly acclaimed tech leaders, share the pros and cons of AI. While they list many benefits, their concerns for our society as a whole and the extreme pressure they face to “slow down” AI are truly concerning. The negative social, mental, and emotional margins are growing rapidly, leaving many to wonder how AI may diminish the very qualities that make us human. The present movement of AI is already impacting our children and families in perplexing and challenging ways that our human brains cannot fully understand. This is leaving not only parents ill-equipped and unprepared to navigate these “intelligences,” but even tech gurus are left dumbfounded.
The Child Rescue Coalition brings up another real cause for alarm, as it states that there are three main dangers parents must be aware of: AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material, AI-Driven Online Grooming, and Deepfakes and Impersonation. Sadly, these are becoming more common as our children are exposed to gravely inappropriate information, leading to potential risks and devastating consequences.
What does all this mean, and how do we move forward in a world that is changing so quickly? Better yet, how do we protect our children? As we all grovel for answers, one thing is particularly clear: we must seek wisdom and use discernment when setting healthy boundaries around AI.
Fostering Healthy Boundaries
It’s critical to stay informed about changes in AI and to have open-ended, age-appropriate conversations with our children about these platforms and devices. We must also recognize that this “technological age” is likely here to stay, so we must learn ways to help our children navigate these spaces safely.
A few ways to create and foster healthy boundaries around AI:
1. Educate your child/teen about the responsibilities that come with AI and how to use it respectfully. Stress the importance of online safety and privacy measures when they consider sharing information or images.
2. Use privacy settings or set up parental controls to monitor AI use.
3. Set time limits on their devices and monitor them from time to time for safe measure.
4. Discuss the dangers and harm of using AI for emotional support. Remind them that these tools are not intended to replace real friendships.
5. Lead by example.
How AI Will Impact the Future Workforce?
With a kiddo in college and another one soon on the way, I can’t help but wonder how AI will impact their future vocation. As more information unfolds and tensions rise with AI invading the workforce, drastically changing the typical landscape, it’s no wonder many high schoolers, college students, and parents are left feeling a bit anxious and bewildered.
According to a recent survey, 42% of bachelor's degree students have considered changing their major, 16% have already changed their major, and some students are basing their future decisions, including even attending college, on AI’s explosive growth. This is changing the perspective and value of college while also shifting students to embrace the mindset for using AI as a tool to support their future profession.
Not only that, but as AI evolves toward humanoid forms, it poses another challenge: many jobs will likely be replaced, causing some students to doubt their abilities and reconsider their future livelihoods. Add to that the fact that many students claim colleges are not fully preparing them for a world where AI is vastly impacting, nor are they allowed to use AI tools, leaving them with academic gaps and insufficiencies. Some claim to lack the critical thinking skills needed to succeed in this modern day and age.
While many schools and colleges are grappling to find a middle ground that uses AI to prepare this generation for an AI workplace, the rapid changes are causing a major disconnect. This trend is leading many to feel frustrated and voice concerns, while some scholars and students see it as a pivotal moment and are embracing it with excitement.
This can certainly create tension between institutions and career trajectories, but it also opens doors to endless possibilities. As universities pride themselves on providing higher education that offers endless opportunities, academic advisors now evaluate their programs to blend those possibilities with the trajectory of AI and a changing workforce.
Final Thoughts
The curiosity and intrigue of AI will continue to captivate our children and draw them in. That is why we all have a role to play in shaping the future of our children. We must do our part to teach safety measures at home and inquire about how these tools and artificial intelligence resources are being used in schools and universities. Together, we can create a future for our children to learn, thrive, and grow.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/MoMo Productions
