Just as previous generations had to adapt to the internet and social media, our children are growing up in a world where they must learn how to interact with AI. This new era in the technological revolution is unavoidable. Nowadays, even infants often encounter AI in the form of toys and chatbots like ROYBI Robot, AI teddy bears from VTech, Moxie Robot, Siri, and Alexa. While it’s essential for the government to establish regulations to safeguard our future, we also have a role to play in our homes, ensuring that our children are well-prepared for a world increasingly shaped by tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney.
This preparation involves ongoing discussions among parents about the educational benefits of AI, the potential pitfalls of relying too heavily on this technology, how it can impact us emotionally and behaviorally, and the human influence behind the algorithms that determine what AI provides us. By engaging in these conversations, children can develop a sense of discernment from a young age. They’ll learn to think critically about the various uses of AI, forming healthy thinking patterns that will serve them well throughout their lives.
One effective approach to achieving this is by adopting the principles of mind-management known as the Neurocycle. This system, which is rooted in over 30 years of research and practice as a clinical neuroscientist and mental health researcher, consists of five simple steps. It activates the connection between the mind, brain, and body, helping individuals build new knowledge into their brains to enhance attention, concentration, intelligence, and resilience. Additionally, it serves as a valuable strategy for rewiring harmful thought patterns into healthier habits of mind management. The sequential nature of this five-step process transforms detrimental thoughts into constructive ones, reshaping the brain’s neuroplasticity. It can be a valuable tool for both children and adults to effectively learn new information and cultivate healthy mental habits.
Increase Awareness
The Neurocycle process begins with the first step of gathering awareness. Encourage your child to turn their focus inward and reflect on how they are feeling mentally, physically, and emotionally. This practice helps them become more mindful of how specific thoughts or experiences affect them. For instance, when your child interacts with an AI device like Siri, you can engage them in simple conversations like, “How does Siri make you feel?” or “Do you enjoy using Siri?” or even “Are there things about Siri that you don’t like?” This gathering step is a valuable way to teach kids the skill of self-regulation, a crucial aspect of effective mind-management. After all, we can’t hope to control or change something if we’re not aware of it in the first place.
Take a Moment to Reflect
Moving on to the next step in the Neurocycle process, it’s all about reflection and digging deeper into the self-awareness that was gathered earlier. Parents can initiate meaningful discussions with their kids by asking questions like, “Why do you think Siri makes you feel that way?” or “Do you believe you can accomplish the same tasks without Siri?” or even “What ideas do you have for managing your anxiety when you encounter something like Siri?” These kinds of conversations help both children and parents start to connect the dots between their feelings and thoughts, uncovering potential underlying causes and connections. It’s a crucial step in understanding the complexities of our emotions and reactions.
Capture your Reflections
The third step in the Neurocycle process involves capturing these reflections by either writing or drawing. This creative act serves to bring clarity and organization to the thoughts and emotions swirling in the brain, ultimately leading to greater insight. You can do this alongside your child by encouraging them to express their feelings and thoughts about using AI technology like Siri on paper. They can use bubbles, shapes, arrows, colors, or simply jot down their thoughts. It’s a tangible way to help them process and make sense of their experiences.
Notice the Patterns
Moving forward, it’s essential to revisit and analyze the last three steps. This involves taking a closer look at what was written or drawn during the reflection process. You can help your child identify any recurring patterns or common themes in their interactions with AI. For instance, while reviewing what your child has put on paper, they might notice that Siri tends to make them feel “lazy” or “tired.” This presents a valuable opportunity for discussion.
You can talk with them about how AI technologies like Siri can indeed be helpful, but it’s equally important to recognize the benefits of doing things independently. Emphasize that we shouldn’t rely solely on technology to handle everything. Take the chance to show them that it can be just as enjoyable to complete tasks without relying on Siri, highlighting the fun and satisfaction that can come from doing things on their own. It’s a valuable lesson in finding a balance between technology and self-reliance.
Create Actionable Next Steps
The final step in this process involves taking action or actively implementing what you’ve learned. Together with your child, you can create a daily activity that reinforces this new way of thinking. For instance, you might establish a plan where Siri is allowed to be used only three times each day. Whenever Siri is used, both you and your child must then perform the same task without relying on Siri and compare the results.
By guiding children to become more aware of how AI influences them, the Neurocycle method encourages them to examine the mental and physical effects of technology. Over time, this leads to a healthier understanding of the distinctions between the real world and technology.
When parents and children navigate the impact of AI, it’s crucial to continuously find ways to practice its use in a safe and balanced manner, gradually forming new habits. Whether it’s incorporating AI into a school project or encouraging them to strike a balance between technology and social interactions, these simple actions enable children to put their newly acquired knowledge into practice, ensuring it becomes a useful and lasting habit.
In many ways, we may not have adequately prepared ourselves and our children for the advent of social media, and we’re still grappling with the consequences. However, we now have an opportunity to learn from our past and equip future generations for success in the age of AI. It’s our responsibility as parents to educate ourselves so that we can, in turn, educate our children on how to safely and effectively use this new technology because it’s here to stay. With social media, we were often unsuspecting victims, but with AI, we have the chance to be proactive and knowledgeable participants in this evolving landscape.