What are parents afraid of about AI and their kids?
Vera Rose
7 replies
Hey, parents in the Product Hunt community 👋
We all know AI is everywhere these days – in our kids' learning apps, their toys, and even the shows they watch. It's handy, but also a bit worrying, isn't it? 🤔
What's your biggest worry when it comes to your kids and AI? Are you scared about who might be listening when your child talks to an AI toy? Do you worry that these AI gadgets are designed to keep your kid glued to them for hours on end? Or maybe, you're concerned that too much talking to AI means not enough talking to real people?
Your worries matter. By talking about them, we can make sure AI is made and used in a way that's good for everyone. So, what's on your mind?
Replies
Elena Tsemirava@elenat
I am worried that the children will become lazy and will not want to think for themselves. In the early stages of human development, I would say, before graduating from university and getting the first working experience, AI is rather evil for a person.
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@elenat I totally get where you're coming from – we all want our kids to be active thinkers and problem-solvers. It's vital, especially as they grow and navigate through life's ups and downs.
Now, just throwing an idea out there. Imagine if AI could actually spark more creativity in kids? Picture an AI that can spin an endless tale that changes with every choice a child makes, kind of like a never-ending game of make-believe. Or maybe an AI tutor that knows just how to make math or science fun and easy for them.
What do you reckon? Could there be a silver lining to this AI cloud if we tread carefully? How can we make sure that AI is like a fun sidekick, helping kids stay excited about learning, rather than turning them into couch potatoes?
Parents often express fears about AI impacting their kids' development by potentially limiting creativity and human interaction, exposure to harmful content or privacy breaches, and the risk of dependency on technology overshadowing traditional learning methods.
@butler99_p Thanks!
So, what do you think we should do about it? Should companies be told to follow stricter rules when they make AI for kids' products? Do you think the folks who make AI should work more with teachers or child experts to make sure they're getting it right?
And what's your take on this - do kids actually need AI right now? Or should we get them to play outside more and stick to good old-fashioned learning? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
As a parent, I'm curious about potential concerns over AI's influence on kids, such as exacerbating screen time, replacing human interaction, privacy and security issues, as well as the fear of AI potentially promoting harmful or misleading content.
@marilynram82 Great points! You've got me thinking.
So, what's your take on how the folks making these AI apps and tools for kids could make things better? Any ideas or must-do's you'd suggest for them to make AI safer and friendlier?
I believe kids are pure and straightforward in soul, and insightful, so they can tell the difference between playing with a real person, like a friend or parent, and interacting with AI. My kids are like that sometimes. They enjoy chatting with AI just for fun because they understand that it's not quite the same as talking to a human. They like to explore the limits of what AI can do because they see the limits are there. It's like a game for them to see where it fails. ❤️ Tiana from becomingmamas.com