Life Kit Teens are using AI. Here’s how parents can talk about it
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Sep 2, 2025 Lee Gaines, an education reporter with insights on AI's impact on learning, dives into how teens are creatively using AI tools like ChatGPT for study aids without much guidance. She discusses the importance of parental involvement in shaping responsible AI usage. Gains emphasizes the need for open conversations between parents and teens about AI’s risks and benefits. Real-life examples illustrate how to engage in meaningful discussions, helping families understand AI's implications on education and mental health.
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Teen Learner Who Recalibrated AI Use
- Nicholas Munkbatter started using ChatGPT soon after its release and relied on it for many tasks, including math and studying textbooks.
- He realized it became a shortcut that bypassed the learning process and adjusted to use it as a learning tool instead.
Start Exploring AI Together Weekly
- Start talking about AI early and explore tools together so parents understand the environment their kids face.
- Mark Watkins recommends budgeting about 90 minutes a week to learn about AI through podcasts, reading, and experimenting with tools.
Demonstrate AI As Pattern Recognition
- Explain how AI works using simple demos so kids see it's pattern recognition, not understanding.
- Mark Watkins uses Google Quick Draw to show that AI guesses from patterns in others' doodles.
