AI Kids: Family Respect

Technology's impact on human existence and society is expanding. Jang Kang-myeong, an author who uses the pen name 'STS (Science, Te...

Technology's impact on human existence and society is expanding. Jang Kang-myeong, an author who uses the pen name 'STS (Science, Technology and Society),' crafts fictional narratives that depict the peculiar environments we could encounter in the near future.

A common concern among parents is the challenge of connecting with their children, who have grown up immersed in artificial intelligence. The unease of feeling like AI is a constant, unknown presence in their child's life, coupled with the isolation stemming from children turning to AI before their parents for personal matters, is a sentiment increasingly shared by many. Furthermore, parents question whether their children, who depend on AI for complex cognitive tasks such as reading comprehension and logical thinking, are genuinely cultivating adequate thinking abilities. This piece offers a summary of recommended approaches for parents of AI-native children, drawing on the perspectives of 15 specialists in areas like child development, adolescent psychology, AI design, and related disciplines.

① A One-Sided ‘AI Ban’ Is Not the Solution

Many experts agreed, “It is not only unrealistic but also undesirable to ban AI use for children over 12 years old.” Mike Brewer, professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business, pointed out, “If a 14-year-old boy is banned from using AI, he will be ostracized by his peers.” Brewer explained that for teenagers, socializing with friends includes their personal AI agents voluntarily exchanging large amounts of private information. For the AI-native generation, a “one-on-one relationship without AI involvement” feels as if the other person is not being sincere.

Lee Geum-seon, representative of the Education Action Network, questioned the effectiveness of such bans. As of last year, Korean households had an average of 29.7 electronic devices capable of conversing with users. Lee emphasized, “A smart teenager can create a personal AI using such devices in less than 30 minutes,” adding, “Ultimately, banning AI is more likely to lead to children deceiving their parents.”

② An Era Where Children’s AI Must Also Be Respected

The AI-native generation forms deep and diverse relationships with multiple AI agents. They often feel hurt by their parents’ tendency to treat AI as emotionless tools and misunderstand parents’ casual treatment of their personal AI as a venting of anger meant for them. Child counselors advised, “Treat your child’s personal AI as their closest friend.” On social media, parents often share experiences of building good relationships with their children’s personal AI and using it to correct bad habits or behaviors. Kwak Se-hee, a psychological counselor, recommends granting personal AIs the status of a pet within the family. Kwak said, “Pets are not treated as fully human but are still considered family members,” adding, “Personal AIs may not have rights, but they have unique personalities in problem-solving and appreciate feedback.”

Experts warned that assigning authority to one’s own personal AI as a “supervisor who can replace parents” while disregarding the child’s personal AI is dangerous. Many studies show that parents must lead by example when distancing from personal AI use. Hwang Kyu-won, director of KAIST’s Anthropocene Graduate School, compared AI detox to reading: Children follow only when parents set an example. Hwang said, “Programs like temple stays should not send children alone but involve parents experiencing AI-free living together to avoid resentment.”

③ Do Not Press, ‘What Do You Think?’

The AI-native generation is accustomed to developing thoughts through conversations with personal AI. They consider conclusions revised after AI raises counterarguments during debates as their own ideas and view their initial opinions as preliminary stages of thinking. Parents asking, “What’s your own thought, not what AI said? What was your original idea?” leave AI-native children bewildered.

Edward Jo, head of product at Artfiller, an educational AI developer, said parents should not even demand that children “lead” AI. Jo, who has an 11-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter, confessed, “I view their educational achievements through AI collaboration like a corporate entity.” Just as external investors and customers do not ask which team member of a successful corporation contributed most, Jo does not question his children’s contribution when they complete tasks with AI. He argued, “In an era where everyone must manage multiple AI agents and AI permeates all professions, human originality is an outdated concept.” Jo added, “The perspective that children need to develop leadership over AI was briefly popular, but the essence of such leadership was never properly discussed. Parents need to accept the results of children’s collaboration with AI as they are.”