The First AI Generation: Why This Matters Now

AI is already here, in your child’s hands

Our children are the very first 'AI generation,' using these tools in ways that were science fiction just a few years ago. This isn't a future problem; it's happening right now in our homes. I share some brand-new, eye-opening statistics showing that nearly a third of kids under 8 are already using AI, with 40% having their own tablets by age two.

The challenge is that while our kids are brilliant at intuitively using these tools, they don't yet have the skills to understand the risks—like what data they're sharing or how to spot if an AI's answer is true or false. We've faced new technology before, like the internet, but I explain why AI is a 'whole new beast' that blurs the lines of reality. There’s no parenting manual for this, which can feel unsettling. But I want to reassure you that we can’t just react; we must become proactive. This is our moment to write that new playbook, and I'm so glad we get to do it together.

Key Statistics Used:

From the Common Sense Media 2025 report:

• 29% of children (aged 8 or younger) use AI for school.

• 40% of children have their own tablets by age 2.

• Only 8% of young children use AI to learn about AI itself.