Technology is evolving faster than ever, and AI is no longer a tool of the future, it’s a part of our kids’ daily lives. For parents, it can feel overwhelming to understand what this means for their development, relationships, and safety.
Noddy Sharma, founder of The Able Movement, explains that AI isn’t just another tech upgrade, it’s a cultural shift. Unlike past innovations, kids today don’t get to choose when or how to engage with it. It’s all around them, shaping how they think, learn, and interact.
AI can be a force for good, giving back time to teachers, doctors, and families. But it also has risks: addictive algorithms, echo chambers, and even agentic AI that can act independently. For young people, this can replace real-world connection and guidance.
So, what can parents do?
- Understand the technology, but focus on humanity. AI predicts outcomes; it doesn’t understand emotions, relationships, or faith.
- Reconnect with your family. Create spaces to be present, off-grid, and engaged in meaningful conversation.
- Guide, don’t control. Kids can’t avoid AI, but they can learn to navigate it thoughtfully, with values and relationships intact.
- Advocate for safety. Governments and institutions need to protect families as AI becomes more pervasive.
We’re living in a moment where technology is reshaping human experience. The most important lesson for parents? Connection, guidance, and presence are more valuable than ever. By focusing on these, we can help our children thrive in a world shaped by AI, not lost in it.
Listen to the full interview on the Lucy&Kel podcast Episode
