Let’s be honest — technology isn’t just creeping into our lives, it’s taking over the driver’s seat. From ChatGPT writing your child’s book report to Snapchat’s “My AI” chatting like a friend, and image generators like DALL·E or Midjourney creating art in seconds, artificial intelligence is everywhere.
Some of it is incredible. Personally, I love thanking ChatGPT when it fixes my grammar on a busy day. But there’s a darker side, especially for kids who don’t yet have the life experience to tell the difference between a clever computer response and a real human connection.
The Illusion of Connection
These tools don’t have feelings, but the way they “talk” can feel warm, friendly, and even human. For a young mind, that can blur the line between reality and machine. A child who chats with an AI “friend” on Snapchat or gets all their answers from a chatbot might start thinking they’re interacting with someone who understands them. But they’re not. It’s code.
And it’s not just kids. Adults fall for this, too. We thank the bots, we rely on them, and sometimes we even feel a little bond with them. But deep down, it’s a one-way street. That can become a lonely place — a space where we’re surrounded by “voices” but missing real human connection.
“Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.” – Christian Lous Lange
The Cost of Convenience
Our kids are growing up on YouTube videos, TikTok dances, and instant answers. Reading, questioning, and exploring the meaning of words — the things that grow imagination and independence — are taking a back seat.
Here’s what’s happening:
- Short attention spans – Scrolling feeds teach kids to skim, not think deeply.
- Less imagination – If an AI can generate a story or picture instantly, why bother imagining it yourself?
- Dependency on shortcuts – Instead of learning to solve a problem, kids ask a bot.
- We’re raising a generation that can “consume” but struggles to create, question, and persist.
The “Lost Generation” Fear
This isn’t just about schoolwork. It’s about life skills. Kids who grow up leaning on AI may find real-world problem-solving harder. They might avoid the patience it takes to read a book cover-to-cover or the persistence it takes to master a skill. And when they’re upset or lonely, they might turn to a chatbot instead of a friend.
It’s a silent shift — from curiosity and independence to convenience and passivity.
What We Can Do
We can’t roll back technology, but we can guide how our kids use it.
- Balance tech with real life – Set aside times where screens are off and books, games, or outdoor activities take over.
- Teach critical thinking – Encourage kids to question the answers AI gives them. “Why?” should still be their favourite word.
- Model healthy use – Show them you use AI as a tool, not a crutch.
- Prioritise connection – Make sure they’re spending time with real friends, not just “friendly” apps.
AI isn’t the villain. It’s a powerful tool — one we even enjoy (hey, who doesn’t like a little grammar help?). But if our kids grow up seeing it as a friend, a teacher, and a shortcut all in one, we risk raising a generation that’s informed but not independent, connected but lonely.
Our job as parents isn’t to ban the tech but to make sure our children know the difference between a tool and a friend, between instant answers and real understanding. That’s how we raise curious, resilient kids in a digital world.
