Three Simple Ways to Prepare Kids for AI Today
While AI is a vast, complicated, and all-consuming topic, it's increasingly clear that some of the best ways to prepare kids are more straightforward and easy to implement than you might think...
Since AI is such a broad topic, it’s impossible to provide a simple answer to the question of how we can prepare our kids. But as I spent time researching my book this year, and talking to families and experts, it became clear that building a solid foundation for AI literacy starts with a recommitment to individual values and beliefs.
We so infrequently dig into who we are and what we believe that we can forget how foundational these conversations are. By holding more tightly to what makes us human, we can give kids the power to make hard decisions and successfully navigate AI in the future.
Here are some exercises to get you started...
Helping Kids be More “Human”
1) Consider “Truth-Seeking” as a Muscle
Whether it’s generative AI output or the way that AI amplifies social media content, one of the biggest challenges going forward for families will be in determining what is actually “true.” And it’s not as straightforward as you might think either as”truth” can be highly individual and context-specific.
We’ve already seen how social media algorithms create “confirmation bias” and steer us toward whatever platforms, companies, organizations, or even governments want us to believe. But now with the AI ability to amplify any content, it’s going to get harder to navigate.
Think of truth-seeking like a muscle that you need to actively flex to keep it strong and sharp. Here are some activities that may help:
Practice “source tracing” as a family. For instance, when someone shares something they heard or saw online, make it a habit for family members to ask: “Where did that come from?” and start to piece together the full picture.
Consider creating a family agreement about checking at least two different sources before accepting any news as fact (…even “trusted” news). The key here is to ensure you see all “angles” of an issue and incorporate nuance and perspective into truth-finding activities.
Try “perspective exercises” where you deliberately seek out how the same story is being covered by different news outlets or from alternate viewpoints. This is a great way to help kids identify what is fact and what is opinion and see how they differ.
Work as a family to identify AI-generated content by looking for telltale signs. For instance, look for unusually perfect writing or unnatural phrasing. Also generic stock photo-style images that don’t seem to really fit an article, and even information that seems too good (or bad) to be true.
Establish your family’s own “verification standards.” Maybe this means always checking the original source, or agreeing that if something sounds outrageous, you’ll fact-check it together before sharing it around. The goal isn’t to become skeptical of everything, but to build the habit of pausing and checking before we believe or pass along information.
2) Give Kids a Chance to “Show” You
Personal agency and self confidence is one of the skills most at risk right now for kids thanks to AI. But conversely these skills are also the superpowers that will guide kids to what’s next. Try to take time each week to ask your child to show you how they may be using generative AI. Ask how they think it “should” be used, and let them talk to you about what other kids are sharing and talking about online. Here are a few examples:
Ask your middle or high schooler to walk you through how they use (or might use) ChatGPT for a homework assignment. This is not to catch kids doing anything “wrong,” but to understand their thought process and discuss when it’s helpful versus when generative AI might be limiting their learning.
Have younger kids show you any AI apps or games they’ve discovered recently. Ask them to teach you how to use these platforms and tools. Give them the opportunity to be the expert while you ask genuine and probing questions.
Ask teens to give you a “social media tour.” Let kids show you what’s trending, what kinds of content their friends are sharing, and what feels authentic versus what might be AI-generated. Follow up with “What do you think about that?” rather than inserting your judgement. And together work to determine what content may be fake and where algorithms and settings may be customizing the content and why.
Try “reverse tech support” where you ask your child to help you use an AI tool for something you’re working on. Maybe let them work with an AI system to write an email or plan a trip. This lets kids see how adults can use these tools thoughtfully while giving them a chance to guide the conversation.
Work to end these interactions by asking “What questions do you have?” and “What are you curious or worried about?” This keeps the focus on their agency and critical thinking rather than just your concerns. The key is positioning kids as the teachers and experts of their own experience while creating space for genuine dialogue.
3) Organize Family Debate Nights
Unfortunately the concept of quick and swift “cancellation” online has created fear of rocking any boat right now, no matter how benign the disagreement. But that has conditioned all of us to be far less confident in our own beliefs. The best way to sharpen critical thinking skills, confidence, and personal agency is through seeing all sides of an issue and hashing it out.
The goal is to fight the intentionally emotional responses and “tribalism” that companies and media are often incentivized to ignite in us. And by debating issues at home it gives kids a safe place to work it out. Here are a few examples:
Start with low-stakes topics where everyone can practice arguing the opposite of what they believe. For instance, issues like, “Should kids have later bedtimes?” or “Is it better to live in the city or the country?” Give each person 3 minutes to argue for the side they disagree with, focusing on finding the strongest points rather than the weakest. As you get the hang of it (and depending on your children’s ages) you can dig into thornier issues.
Try “perspective swapping” with current events that your family has different views on. Set a timer and have everyone argue from a completely different political, generational, or cultural viewpoint than their own. The rule is you have to find at least three legitimate points the “other side” makes.
Create “devil’s advocate dinners” where one person picks a family rule or decision and someone else has to argue against it (even if they actually agree with it). This could be screen time limits, curfews, or even bigger family choices like where travel to for a family vacation.
Practice digging into AI-related dilemmas. For instance, “Should schools allow ChatGPT for homework?” Or, “Should companies be required to label AI-generated content?” Have family members argue positions they don’t naturally hold, and discuss what they learned about the issue afterward.
End each debate by asking “What did you learn about the other perspective?” and “What’s one thing that surprised you?” This reinforces that the goal isn’t winning, but understanding—a crucial skill for navigating an increasingly polarized digital world.
In Other News…
My Chat About AI With Compass Rewire
Compass Rewire founders Samantha Mulcahy and Katie Montbriand invited me this week to talk about the skills kids need to succeed in an AI-driven world. It was perfectly timed to this week’s newsletter—and shows how much there is to talk about when it comes to kids and AI.
Welp…
Apparently the password for the surveillance system at the Louvre was … “Louvre.” Yes, as unbelievable as it seems, this is a fact. Even our kids would consider this a shocking crime against good cybersecurity practices. Don’t be like the Louvre, plan a family password clean up day at least every six months. Keep passwords strong, long and impossible to guess.
Book Availability Expands 🎉
My book is now available widely from Amazon to Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, Apple, Google, and booksellers around the world! Here is a full list here…
If you’ve taken a look, and are willing, I’d be grateful for a review, no matter how short. Even stars will do! You can do this on Amazon, Goodreads, Bookshop or your favorite book retailer (larger list here).
What are you talking about right now? As AI is becoming more of a topic in schools and day-to-day life, I’d love to hear from you.