Life Kit: Parenting Teens are using AI. Here’s how parents can talk about it.
Sep 2, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, education reporter Lee Gaines sheds light on how AI is reshaping learning for teens. With tools like ChatGPT at their fingertips, many students are harnessing AI creatively while lacking guidance on its responsible use. Gaines emphasizes the importance of open communication between parents and teens, addressing both the benefits and risks associated with AI. She offers strategies for fostering critical thinking and collaboration in navigating AI's role in young lives, especially concerning mental health and ethical engagement.
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Teen Realizes AI Can Short‑Circuit Learning
- Nicholas started using ChatGPT for almost everything including math and textbooks when it launched in 2022.
- He realized it became a shortcut that bypassed his learning process and adjusted how he uses it.
Learn About AI Together Weekly
- Start talking about AI early and explore tools together so parents understand how kids encounter them.
- Spend about 90 minutes a week learning about AI by listening, reading, and experimenting with chatbots.
Use Simple Demos To Explain AI
- Explain that generative AI is a powerful autocomplete that mimics writing without true understanding.
- Use simple games like Google Quickdraw to show AI learns from pattern data, not understanding.