But maybe there is a different way to look at this dilemma right now…

As a trained journalist with decades of writing experience under my belt, I’m comfortable using AI precisely because I know my own personal voice. Much in the same way that I would digest and include research found via a Google search, AI is research and source material. In fact, while I find AI to be enormously useful, it can sometimes be a tedious companion to writing.

The point isn’t AI or no AI, but teaching our children to cultivate, appreciate, and employ their own personal voice. This should be something we encourage as part of their education. But at the same time, AI is not magic, it takes work to use effectively.

What is Personal Voice, and Why is it Valuable?

*Personal voice* isn’t about style but it’s about our individual identity. When teens develop a distinct personal voice, they’re establishing how they communicate their thoughts, values, and perspectives to the world, and that can’t be replicated by AI.

This foundation of authenticity becomes especially important when collaborating with AI writing tools. AI can sometimes homogenize expression if used without intention. So, for that and many other reasons, AI should never be a substitution for writing, but instead serve as a way to enhance, provide substance, and deepen the research underpinning written content.

The ability to write in a way that sounds not only uniquely human, but uniquely individual with all our quirks, insights, and emotional resonance baked in should be the goal. And for teens preparing to enter higher education or the workforce, this distinction can be invaluable.

From Tool to Partner

When teens develop their personal voice, they approach AI writing tools differently—not as magic answer machines but as detailed (and often mistaken, FYI) thought partners. When a teen learns to embrace their personal style and way of thinking, the questions and collaboration with AI becomes even more effective. Better questions are asked, and higher-quality responses are given back.

To that point, we don’t talk enough about how to extract high-quality AI-generated responses from tools such as Claude or ChatGPT. When teens prompt AI with thoughtful, specific, prompts, they also get much better responses. Teens who ask questions authentically and naturally also receive content back that reflects their thinking style. This leads to output that better aligns with a teen’s intentions, making the collaboration more productive.

Does it mean that AI will just learn to replicate our voice? Possibly, but even that is a step far enough ahead to even presume we have a defined style. It also presumes that we are singularly predictable. And, of course, we are not.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, teens with well-developed voices can selectively implement AI suggestions rather than accepting them wholesale. They can recognize which AI contributions enhance their message and content, and which dilute their authentic expression. They can’t t also stay alert to AI hallucinations or inaccuracies.

It’s almost assured that the jobs of the future will require expertise in AI collaboration, so this entire exercise is also a great start to preparing for jobs of the future.

Answering: Who Am I?

For parents and kids, the exercise of developing individual authenticity and personal voice is not only a critical skill, it can be an emotional oasis of rule-free thinking and behaving at a time when we are incredibly led and regimented.

And the best part is that the steps to get there are easy and free, here are a few suggestions:

1. Encourage Regular Free Writing

Free writing, which is writing without editing, rules, or judgment, for at least 10-15 minutes daily, is one of the most effective ways to develop personal voice.

Teens should give themselves the freedom and space to write about anything that interests them. Forget worries about grammar, structure, or even basic logic or coherence! Just write. And if putting pen to paper feels most natural, do it. If writing on a computer, or taking notes on a smart device seems more natural, then go for it. Over time, patterns will emerge in the content that reveal a natural tone and tenor that might even be surprising.

Even without the pressure new technology has put on all of us, the joys of free and unrestricted writing have been a dwindling art for some time.

2. Read and Then Read Some More (Duh!)

Suggesting that teens read more seems obvious. But we don’t often tell kids why they must read. And of course, the reason is in part to appreciate and recognize different styles and writer voices.

Discussing what a teen likes or dislikes about various writing styles can also help them identify elements they might incorporate into their own work. So another suggestion is for teens to practice writing in the style of an author they like and discussing this with family, friends or teachers.

As families, we know reading is, indeed, fundamental, but we don’t talk enough about books, authors, style and why and what we like.

3. Practice Reflection Through Journaling

Unlike free writing, journaling is something more personal and focused. Regular journaling creates space for teens to process thoughts and emotions through writing. While journal writing also doesn’t have external requirements, it can be more guided and personal, giving teens the additional opportunity of working out personal issues at the same time.

For journal writing, other kinds of prompts can help too. These can include:

• What made you feel strongly today and why?

• If you could change one thing about your day, what would it be?

• What’s something you believe that most people disagree with?

4. Give Constructive Feedback on Voice, Not Content

When reviewing your teen’s writing, or suggesting they do the same for one another, comment specifically on the very elements that are starting to shine through. For instance: “I notice you use many vivid metaphors that’s becoming part of your signature style” or “Your humor really comes through in how you describe challenges.” Parents, guardians and caregivers can help teens start to appreciate what their emerging voice looks like.

5. Introduce Voice-Focused Exercises

Once teens get going, and they are ready for more, the culmination of the above work is trying to flex these skills. Here are a few ways:

• Rewrite a paragraph in three different emotional tones

• Describe the same event from three different perspectives

• Translate formal writing into their natural speaking style

• Take a piece of AI-generated writing and rewrite it to make the piece more personal

6. Adults: Be Honest About Your Own Questions

As an adult, could you answer the same questions about what your personal voice looks like? We are going through the same challenges in navigating the use of AI and if we are being honest, most of us couldn’t answer this question.

So the steps above are just as useful to all of us as we navigate what it means to use AI to write.

Start by sharing your own writing with your kids, and discuss how you’ve developed your voice-over time. Point out specific elements that reflect your personality, values, or thinking style.

Practical Suggestions for Work With AI

Once everyone is a bit more comfortable understanding what an individual voice looks like, then it’s on to seeing what impact this new knowledge has on AI use. It starts off with some experimentation and play. For instance, try:

• Writing a first draft without AI, then using AI for suggestions, and comparing the results

• Giving AI a sample of their writing and asking it to analyze their voice characteristics

• Having teens edit AI-generated content to better match their voice and feel more personal

The goal isn’t for teens (or adults) to develop a static, unchanging voice. Rather, it’s to help build a foundation of authentic self-expression that can evolve as teens grow, while maintaining core elements that reflect one’s personality. It goes without saying that any relationship with AI writing tools should be one where technology amplifies one’s voice rather than replacing it.

As parents and educators, our role is to create spaces where teens can experiment, reflect, and gradually discover how they want to express themselves in the world. By valuing personal voice, we teach them that their unique perspective matters and that while AI can assist their writing process, their humanity remains irreplaceable.

Too often, these days, we force structure, rules and rigid thinking that hampers the type of off-piste, creativity that is the anecdote to technology. Let’s not lose this ability to run free intellectually and in one’s work.

In this collaboration between human creativity and artificial intelligence, the most powerful results emerge when teens bring their authentic voices to the table, not try to circumvent and veil its influence and contribution to one’s work.

The technology may provide suggestions, structure, and efficiency, but the soul of meaningful writing will always be the human voice behind the words.

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These discussions are highly dependent on individual personalities, of course. So keep trying there is no wrong approach. A great opportunity is usually when the topic comes up at school or when you are listening to news together—or even when as an adult you are facing a tech challenge yourself and it opens the door to a chat.

These are also just conversation starters. Adults aren’t required to have all the answers! The key is to ask questions and just listen. This list is excerpted from my book AI for Families: Ultimate Guide to Mastering AI where you’ll find heaps of additional suggestions and tools.

Elementary Age

First AI Conversations

• “Have you ever talked to a computer or robot that talked back to you?”

• “What’s the difference between asking Alexa a question and asking an adult or a friend?”

• “If you could build a robot friend, what would you want it to be able to do?”

• “How do you think computers learn new things?”

• “What questions do you think are better to ask a person instead of a computer?”

• “What would happen if a computer made a mistake?”

• “Do you think AI can have feelings like happiness or sadness? Why or why not?”

• “What would you want to teach an AI about being a kid?”

• “How can you tell if something was made by a computer or made by a person?”

• “What jobs do you think AI is really good at?”

• “How do you think we should treat AI, like a tool, pet, or friend?”

• “What rules do you think families should have about using AI?”

Middle School

Understanding AI Capabilities and Limits

• “What surprised you most when you first used ChatGPT or another AI tool?”

• “How can you tell when AI provides you information that might be wrong?”

• “When you use AI for school projects, how do you make sure you’re not taking a shortcut?”

• “What would happen if everyone in your class used AI to write the same essay assignment?”

• “How has AI changed the way you look for information compared to how your parents did when they were your age?”

• “What questions would you never want to ask AI instead of asking a trusted adult?”

• “What biases or unfair ideas do you think AI might have, and where do those come from?”

• “If AI can create art, music, or stories, does that make human creativity less special?”

• “What’s the difference between using AI as a tutor versus using it to get quick answers?”

• “What do you think happens to the questions you ask AI—who else might see them?”

• “What would you want grown-ups to understand about how kids your age use AI?”

• “What excites you most and worries you most about AI becoming more commonly used in school?”

High School

Ethics, Future Planning, and Independence

• “How should AI influence major life decisions like college choices or career paths?”

• “What ethical responsibilities do you think come with using powerful AI tools?”

• “If AI can do many jobs humans currently do, how should society handle potential job losses?”

• “What role should AI play in creative fields like art, music, writing, or design?”

• “How might AI change what skills are most valuable in your chosen career field?”

• “What are the dangers of becoming too dependent on AI for thinking and problem-solving?”

• “How should AI be regulated, and who should make those decisions?”

• “What privacy concerns do you have about AI systems knowing so much about you?”

• “How might AI affect democracy, elections, and the way people form political opinions?”

• “Should you always disclose that something was made by AI?”

• “How could AI make inequality worse, and how could it make society more fair?”

• “What human experiences do you think should never be replaced or enhanced by AI?”

• “How might AI change dating, relationships, and social connections for you and your peers?”

• “What role should AI play in addressing global challenges like climate change or poverty?”

• “If you could design AI policies for your generation, what would be your top three priorities?”

• “What questions about AI do you wish your families and teachers understood better?”

• “What safeguards do you think should exist to prevent AI from manipulating people’s emotions or decisions?”

Need more questions or guidance? Get in touch!

But here’s the good news: like anything, the best approach is one foot in front of the other. These worksheets and checklists are designed to help you do exactly that. You’ll also find conversation starters throughout the book to kick off discussions with your children, their teachers, neighbors, and anyone else who’s figuring this out alongside you.

I hope you find these resources helpful as you navigate this new terrain with your family. Feel free to reach out with any questions.

Smart Account Setup

Setting up AI accounts for your kids can feel like walking a tightrope. On one side, you want them to have access to tools that can genuinely help with learning and creativity. On the other hand, you’re rightfully concerned about privacy, safety, and whether they’re ready for the responsibility that comes with these digital platforms. The good news is that you don’t have to choose between keeping your kids completely away from AI or throwing them into the deep end without guidance. Smart account setup is about finding that middle ground where your children can explore AI’s benefits while you maintain appropriate oversight and protection. See more here:

Smart Account Setup

135KB ∙ PDF file

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Cybercrime Checklist

Discovering that your child’s information has been part of a data breach or that their identity has been stolen is scary. You might find out through a credit monitoring alert, a suspicious social media account, fake content circulating online, or even a call from a financial institution about accounts you never opened. Whatever the source of discovery, your immediate reaction is likely to be a mix of anger, fear, and confusion, but really just going through a list of steps (and as quickly as possible) can make all the difference. Here’s how to get started:

Cybercrime Checklist

233KB ∙ PDF file

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Prompt Templates

There is no right way to “prompt” (or ask a question of) a generative AI tool. But hopefully, with a few suggestions in hand, you’ll be ready to give it a try. There are generally four categories of prompts: creative, informational, analytical, and instructional. And the real magic is the back and forth exchange between a user and a chatbot. So don’t be afraid to let a conversation ramble a bit or get off track because you can easily just start over. It can help to begin by explaining what you need and then ask, “What do you need from me to start?” I frequently do this when I want to ensure the chat is as productive as possible. A few other suggested prompts:

Prompt Templates

124KB ∙ PDF file

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Source Verification

As families, we want our children to be smart consumers of information, but figuring out how to teach these skills can feel daunting when the information landscape changes so quickly—and when we slip into bad habits too. The good news is that teaching kids to become information detectives isn’t just possible—it can be fun and a mutually beneficial activity. Because long gone are the days when we could rely on just a handful of trusted sources for information. Today’s kids need to learn how to verify what they read and hear while trying to remain objective and open-minded when considering all sources.

Source Verification

154KB ∙ PDF file

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There will be more information sheets to come. In the meantime, please check out my new book and let me know what you think.

BUY NOW

The rapid pace of technology adoption means protecting our information requires ongoing vigilance. Fortunately, there are straightforward steps families can take to build a strong foundation for digital security and wellbeing — while still celebrating the technology advancements we enjoy.

You'll find two downloadable documents below to help you track your progress toward health habits. First, a cross-platform, cross-device checklist to make sure you are comfortable with privacy settings (if you are looking for something more comprehensive, paid subscribers can find a detailed guide with checklists per device).

Second, I've included a Family Tech Contract template below that's designed for flexible use by families and caregivers as well. Even just discussing a *contract* together encourages everyone to commit to healthier digital habits—and importantly holds adults just as accountable as children and teens to this task.

Family Device Master Checklist

4.1MB ∙ PDF file

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Going through this checklist can be a great way to connect with family members and start to agree on family principles and what you all believe are healthy habits for you individually and as a family unit.

Download

Family Tech Agreement

1.57MB ∙ PDF file

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Making a commitment to ourselves and to each other is a great way to build digital literacy and healthy habits or the future...and for all members of a family.

Download

Quick Start Guide to Privacy Setup

If you're ready to dig in now, or want to better understand what it means to adjust settings, I’ve included an outline of the checklist below.

Remember: every family has different considerations and circumstances when it comes to technology, making this a highly personal activity. The guidance below is meant to help you develop best practices that evolve as you and your family change.

To start, and for this process to be most effective, agreeing on some family guiding principles is key. These are embedded in both the checklist and family contract. For instance:

• Establish your family's digital values and boundaries

• Decide on age-appropriate screen time limits

• Create a complete inventory of all family devices

• Research and implement platform-specific parental controls

The next step on the privacy/settings front is to first get organized:

• Prepare necessary account information:

  • Parent/guardian email addresses

  • Child birth dates for age-appropriate settings

  • Strong, unique passwords for each account

• It's also a good idea to set up a password manager for secure family account management (our family uses 1Password)

From there you can dig right in to these next steps:

1. Set Universal Privacy Settings

There are certain settings that should be applied across ALL devices when available:

Start With Account Security

• Create appropriate adult/child accounts

• Set strong, unique passwords

• Enable two-factor authentication

• Configure biometric security appropriately

• Use PIN protection for purchases

Set Content Restrictions

• Set age-appropriate content filters

• Configure web browsing restrictions

• Apply media content ratings by age

• Review app store/download restrictions

• Set up YouTube and streaming service restrictions

Adjust Location Privacy Settings

• Review location sharing settings

• Configure emergency location services

• Limit app location access to "while using"

• Disable precise location when not needed

• Review location history settings

Dig into Communication Safety

• Configure messaging restrictions

• Set up appropriate contact limitations

• Review social media privacy settings

• Configure who can send friend/contact requests

• Set up communication monitoring where needed

Consider Screen Time Management Tools

• Configure age-appropriate time limits

• Set up bedtime/downtime hours

• Create allowable usage schedules

• Configure break reminders

• Set educational content exceptions

Include Financial Protections

• Require authentication for all purchases

• Set up spending limits and notifications

• Configure "Ask to Buy" type features

• Review subscription services

• Consider using gift cards vs. credit cards

Be Mindful of Data Collection

• Opt out of optional analytics

• Review advertising settings and restrictions

• Configure voice assistant data storage

• Review and limit automatic syncing

• Disable "improve our product" sharing

2. Consider Age-Based Configuration Opportunities

Ages 5-8 (All Devices)

• Maximum privacy and safety settings

• Adult supervision during device use

• 30-60 minutes daily screen time

• Approved content only approach

• No unsupervised internet browsing

• No social media or messaging

• Disable purchases completely

• No location sharing

• Consider kids-specific devices/modes

Ages 9-12 (All Devices)

• High privacy settings with monitoring

• 1-1.5 hours daily screen time

• Limited, filtered web browsing

• Parent-approved apps and games only

• Supervised messaging with approved contacts

• Purchase approval required

• Limited location sharing (family only)

• Regular check-ins during online activities

• Begin digital literacy education

Ages 13-15 (All Devices)

• Moderate privacy settings with monitoring

• Flexible time limits based on responsibility

• Filtered web browsing with exceptions

• Regular privacy check-ins

• Limited social media with privacy education

• Purchase limits with notifications

• Basic location sharing for safety

• Focus on critical thinking skills

• Regular discussions about online experiences

Ages 16+ (All Devices)

• Basic safety settings maintained

• Collaborative approach to time management

• Focus on healthy digital habits

• Self-management with occasional check-ins

• Preparation for independent digital life

• Financial responsibility education

• Privacy and security best practices

• Discussion about digital footprint

• Emphasis on balance and wellbeing

3. Consider Device Management a Regular Task

• Weekly

  • Review usage reports with children

  • Check in about online experiences

  • Discuss any concerns or questions

• Monthly

  • Check for security and privacy updates

  • Review friend/contact lists

  • Check for unused authorized apps

  • Review purchase history

• Quarterly

  • Comprehensive privacy settings review

  • Update passwords and security

  • Data minimization cleanup

  • Reassess time limits and restrictions

• Annually

  • Complete privacy audit of all devices

  • Age-appropriate settings adjustments

  • Review and update family digital agreement

  • Evaluate digital wellbeing as a family

4. Don’t Forget to Foster Digital Well-Being

• Set up device-free meals and activities

• Create charging stations outside of bedrooms

• Establish parent modeling of healthy tech habits

• Develop tech-free alternatives for family time

• Discuss how to recognize digital burnout

Diving Right In? Device Settings Quick Reference

Mobile Devices

• iOS: Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions

• Android: Google Family Link → Parental Controls

Computers

• Windows: Microsoft Family Safety/Settings → Privacy & Security

• Mac: System Settings → Screen Time/Privacy & Security

Gaming

• Xbox: Microsoft Family Settings App

• PlayStation: Family Management

• Nintendo: Parental Controls App

Smart Home

• Amazon: Alexa App → Devices → Privacy

• Google: Home App → Settings → Digital Wellbeing

• Smart TV: Settings → Parental Controls/Privacy

Want to go even deeper in by category of device? You can check out the AI for Families comprehensive digital device set up guide with detailed downloads per device from iPhones to laptops, smart home devices and gaming consoles. The guide is available for paid subscribers here »

Family Digital Device Setup Guide

© AI for Families, 2025. Download individual device setup checklists at aiforfamilies.com/resources-and-guides

As parents and caregivers, configuring devices with appropriate privacy settings and age-based restrictions is now an essential part of digital parenting and a routine we should embrace. This comprehensive guide aims to help you navigate setting up privacy-protecting configurations across all major platforms, with age-appropriate recommendations to customize their implementation.

After a few tries, you'll find it all becomes habit – an investment in your family's digital wellbeing that pays dividends in both safety and peace of mind.

Table of Contents

1. Before You Begin: Digital Parenting Principles

2. Printable Setup Checklists

3. iOS…

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Here’s an example:

Privacy Considerations for the Yearbook Then and Now

In, say 1995, you would expect:

• Photos were seen by a few hundred people (at most)

• To observe an image would require the physical possession of a book

• Images were generally low-resolution and difficult to reproduce

• There was, of course, no way to automate identification

Now in 2025, the landscape has changed:

• Photos can be digitized and processed with facial recognition technology

• Images can be combined with a name to create a persistent identifier

• High-quality images are valuable to train age-progression algorithms

• Images can be matched to social media profiles to create behavioral overview

• Emotiona…

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Table of Contents

• Parent Experience With AI-Voice Scams

• How the Increasingly Believable Scams Work

• Influential Technology in the Wrong Hands

• How to Protect Your Family from AI Voice and Video Scams

Read more

Sometimes the repercussions are smallish (i.e., spamming one’s friends). Sometimes one clicks on a phishing email unleashes a severe, debilitating ransomware attack (i.e., shut down an entire organization until a ransom is paid).

In all cases the impact is damaging; and the threat of phishing has gotten exponentially worse in recent years. In fact, the Department of Homeland Security even called it out in its 2024 Homeland Threat Assessment report.

A few key reasons why this is happening with increased frequency and impact:

• More sophisticated trickery available in age of AI. Artificial intelligence can help bad actors create increasingly accurate and compelling email content to dupe individuals.

• We live larger percentage of our lives online. As we spend more of our lives tied to our…

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