As AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini become part of everyday life, families are finding themselves on the frontlines of questions like: Is this safe for my kids? How do I set boundaries? What should my child know before they start experimenting with AI tools?
The reality is that unsupervised AI use can carry risks. A recent insight piece by Clara Hawking is a heartbreaking reminder of how dangerous it can be when kids interact with chatbots without guidance. We’re thankfully seeing positive steps in response to this and similar tragedies: OpenAI just announced parental controls will roll out within 30 days, giving families new tools to manage access and conversations.
So what can parents do right now?
✔️ Learn the basics of what AI is (and isn’t) *
✔️ Talk with kids openly about both the opportunities and the risks
✔️ Use trusted resources like - Gorge STEM Hub Family Resources - Common Sense Media’s Parent Guides - Parent Guide to AI Usage (John Williamson).
✔️ Explore at home lessons with their children
We’ll be unpacking these conversations further at the AI Leadership Summit in October, where one session is dedicated to Engaging Families in the Age of AI. Families are a critical part of preparing students for the future — they are our partners in education. Together we want to make sure they have both the knowledge and the tools to navigate this moment.
💡 Question for you all: What questions are you hearing most often from parents about AI? What resources (articles, guides, conversations) do you share when these questions come up?
* This is my favorite "AI in a Nutshell" video that everyone seems to love!