What’s often missing from the debate about artificial intelligence (AI) is what impact the technology will have on our kids’ social development. Increasingly human-like AI tools are being developed and pushed out to the public at a rapid pace, and many kids and teens are turning to AI chatbots for entertainment, homework help, social advice, or even mental health support. Should parents be concerned?
On the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Healthy Children podcast, Dr. Joanna Parga-Belinkie, a mom and pediatrician, warned about the risks of kids using AI bots and the importance of in-person, human relationships for their development. She strongly recommends that the youngest kids do not interact with AI bots at all. But realistically, kids will probably experiment with AI chat at some point, so keeping the conversation open as they get older is key.
Follow these age-by-age guidelines to help keep your kids safe and encourage healthy development in the age of AI technology.
AI guidelines for toddlers and preschoolers
- Young kids need safe, stable, nurturing human relationships and tons of in-person interaction for healthy development.
- AI acts human and can form parasocial relationships with young kids, but it’s not a moral being.
- There is zero reason for toddlers and preschoolers to interact with an AI toy or bot.
Be proactive: Check out these 14 simple ideas for encouraging toddlers’ and preschoolers’ social skills with in-person, hands-on activities.
AI guidelines for elementary-aged kids
- Kids of this age still need a lot of back-and-forth human interaction for their social development.
- AI chatbots are made to be engaging and offer fast answers, but they don’t encourage brain development and learning about the world.
- Since AI tools are everywhere, you’ll need to teach them to think critically about where info is coming from. Try to use tech together so you can see what issues come up.
- Set parental controls to limit use. Most AI chatbots are restricted to ages 13+ or even 18+ for safety and privacy reasons, and many experts think the age limit is still too low.
Be proactive: Check out this 30-day friendship challenge for ideas to beef up kids’ social skills and help them connect with the people around them!
AI guidelines for tweens and teens
- Teens are increasingly using AI chatbots for social or mental health advice, and most who do haven’t told an adult about it.
- Kids at this age still need plenty of funny, loud, chaotic, emotional human relationships. Working through awkward and messy moments is good for growth!
- Teach teens that AI bots tell you what they think you want to hear. They also try to keep you talking so that they can gather more and more information about you.
- Stay curious and nonjudgmental, and have teens teach you how they use tech. This will help you stay in the loop about their AI use and keep conversations going.
Be proactive: Learn about ways to offer nurturing support to tweens and teens who are feeling left out or lonely.
Remember, technology skills are much easier and quicker to learn than social skills. So for growing kids, there’s no rush to get them into the latest tech trends. Let’s help them learn to be human first — it’s hard enough.
