I’m neutral, because every technology is neutral.

A hammer can build a house or smash windows. Fire can keep us warm or burn down an entire city.

Modern technology like AI is no different, so I’m doing my best to help parents, educators and policy makers understand how the tools work, so we can make more informed decisions for our kids.

Nope 😊

Zero tech expertise required - as long as you have a computer and an email address, you’ll be fine.

Just in case you thought you were the only one worried about this stuff…

Screen Time and Content:

1. Excessive screen time: Parents are concerned about their children spending too much time on screens, neglecting other important activities like playing outdoors, socializing, and studying.

2. Exposure to inappropriate content: The internet provides access to a vast amount of content, some of which may be inappropriate for children, such as violence, pornography, and hate speech. This can lead to concerns about:

   • Cyberbullying: Children may become victims of online harassment and bullying.

   • Sexualization of children: The increasing exposure to sexual content online raises concerns about the sexualization of children.

   • Stranger danger: Parents worry about their children interacting with strangers online and the potential risks involved.

3. Impact on mental health: Studies show a correlation between excessive screen time and mental health problems in children, such as anxiety, depression, and attention problems.

4. Sleep disruption: Using devices before bedtime can interfere with sleep patterns, leading to sleep deprivation and its associated issues.

Digital Literacy and Safety:

1. Lack of digital literacy: Parents worry about their children lacking the skills to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.

2. Cybersecurity threats: Children may be vulnerable to online scams, phishing attempts, and malware attacks.

3. Privacy concerns: Parents are concerned about the amount of personal information their children share online and how it might be used.

4. Social media addiction: The addictive nature of social media can lead to excessive use and negative consequences.

Impact on Family Dynamics:

1. Technoference: Parents are concerned about their own device use interfering with quality time and interactions with their children.

2. Lack of face-to-face interaction: Increased screen time can lead to a decline in face-to-face communication within families, affecting relationships and social skills.

3. Family conflicts over screen time: Disagreements over screen time limits and usage can lead to conflicts and tension within families.

4. Modeling healthy technology use: Parents are aware of the importance of setting a good example for their children by demonstrating healthy and balanced technology habits.

Educational Concerns:

1. Distraction from schoolwork: Parents worry that excessive technology use can distract children from their studies and negatively impact academic performance.

2. Misinformation and fake news: The spread of false information online raises concerns about children's ability to distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources.

3. The impact of technology on learning: Some parents may be concerned about the over-reliance on technology in education and its potential impact on critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

Social and Cultural Concerns:

1. Cyberbullying: As mentioned earlier, the anonymity of the internet can make it easier for bullies to target and harass children.

2. Social isolation: While technology can facilitate social connections, it can also contribute to social isolation if children spend more time online than interacting in person.

3. Comparison and competition: Social media platforms often portray idealized versions of reality, leading to social comparison and competition among children and teenagers, potentially impacting self-esteem and body image.

4. Decline in real-world skills: Excessive technology use might lead to a decline in essential life skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

Parenting Challenges in the Digital Age:

1. Finding a balance between benefits and risks: Parents struggle to find a balance between allowing children to benefit from technology while mitigating the potential risks.

2. Keeping up with technological advancements: The rapid pace of technological advancements can make it challenging for parents to stay informed and make informed decisions about their children's technology use.

3. Setting appropriate boundaries: Establishing clear and consistent rules about screen time, content, and online behavior can be challenging for parents.

4. Enforcing limits and consequences: Consistently enforcing screen time limits and dealing with children's resistance can be a source of frustration for parents.

5. Monitoring children's online activity: Monitoring children's online activity without invading their privacy is a delicate balance that parents must navigate.

Other Concerns:

1. Cost: Technology can be expensive, with devices, software, and internet access adding up to significant expenses for families.

It is important to note that these are not all the issues that concern parents about technology, and the relative importance of these issues may vary depending on individual circumstances.

The sources provided focus heavily on screen time and digital technology. Other potential concerns not addressed in the sources include issues related to:

• Artificial intelligence and automation

• Data privacy and surveillance

• The impact of technology on the environment

• The ethical implications of emerging technologies

These issues are likely to become increasingly important for parents in the future.

I’ve purposely designed this course to be aimed at adults who want to learn more about what AI actually is and how it will affect the next generation.

Grandparents, dog parents, expecting parents… No matter what stage of family life you may be at, you’ll learn lots and have fun too.

Absolutely.

Times are tough (hence why I’ve dropped the price of this program by 90% for my friends at Future Anything) but of course you can always learn this on your own.

Here’s a curated playlist with some of my favourite AI related videos, covering the good, the bad and the very, very ugly future I believe is somewhat inevitable at this point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JQ3hYko51Y&list=PLRSZ6f3_pTp9i-MNB4I1EtzBbrouuaoSn

Have fun!