Artificial intelligence isn’t going anywhere. It is rapidly reshaping industries, workplaces, and daily routines, and pretending our kids won’t encounter it is unrealistic. But acknowledging its presence shouldn’t mean handing over the keys to childhood.
AI is a tool, not a teaching resource.
When we confuse the two, we set our children up for intellectual and emotional failure. A tool helps someone build, while a teacher guides, challenges, and nurtures the growing human mind. The moment we start treating algorithms as educational authorities or digital babysitters, we risk undermining our children’s cognitive development, their social instincts, and their innocence.
First, we must be honest about what AI actually produces. It does not "know" truth; it predicts text patterns. Left unguided, it can be deeply faulty, presenting fiction as fact with complete confidence. If we do not teach our kids how to research, cross-reference primary sources, and aggressively fact-check what appears on their screens, we aren't raising critical thinkers, but rather passive consumers who believe whatever the algorithm feeds them. True cognitive strength doesn’t come from accepting an instant answer; it comes from learning how to question it.
Using AI as an intellectual shortcut robs kids of real skill building. The struggle of drafting an essay, working through a tough math problem, or researching a history project is where resilience, problem solving, and patience take root. If a student bypasses that process, the cognitive muscle never grows. AI can assist with mechanical tasks or help brainstorm ideas, but the thinking, analyzing, and synthesizing must belong entirely to the student.
An algorithm can never model human connection. When young people turn to chatbots for companionship, they are interacting with an echo chamber designed to validate what they are telling it. Real friendship requires conflict resolution, patience, empathy, and face to face communications. An artificial entity cannot teach a child how to navigate the social friction essential to growing up.
We have an obligation to protect their innocence. The online environments powered by these technologies are commercial, addictive, and often expose kids to influences and conversations they lack the emotional maturity to handle. Adults must draw firm boundaries.
We don't need to fear innovation, but we do need to put it in its proper place. Let’s treat AI for what it is: a tool that requires human skepticism, clear boundaries, and constant fact checking. And let’s ensure our children’s foundation is built by real teachers, real families, and real human connection.
Ashley Jones, director of Less than 3 Foundation, a national award winning advocate, mother of 3 and grandmother to 9.
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This commentary represents the opinion of the writer, but not necessarily the opinion of Holy City Sinner. If you'd like to submit your own opinion piece for publishing consideration, e-mail christian@holycitysinner.com.