Parenting in the Age of AI: What We Must Not Ignore

Hey, 

In the quiet of bedtime or during those rare moments when the house sleeps, many of us wonder if we’ve taught our children all that matters. But here’s the truth: times have changed, and so have the safe spaces our kids have access to. Increasingly, those spaces are slipping into the digital realm—and into the arms of AI.

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AI Can Listen. But Only We Can Understand.

When you are relaxing on a Saturday afternoon or in your bed at night after the kids have slept, do you often wonder if you have taught them the right things in life? "So many things to teach-- when and how am I going to do it?", "Is my child ready to face the world?" "Have I raised a bubble-wrapped child? Will they be able to face challenges in life"- if you don't have these random thoughts across your head- you are a super calm parent. And unlike the 99.999% of us! 

A recent survey by Youth Ki Awaaz and Youth Leaders for Active Citizenship found that 88% of Indian students use AI like ChatGPT to manage stress, and 57% say they confide in these tools when feeling lonely or anxious. - India Today Alarmingly, 52% of young women, twice the proportion of boys, turn to AI to express personal thoughts.- India Today This digital companionship is most pronounced in smaller towns, where access to mental health support may be limited.- India Today

Experts warn this trend has real risks; forming emotional bonds with AI can lead to growing social isolation, blurred boundaries between digital and real-life relationships, and, in extreme cases, deepening mental health crises. - The Economic Times/The Times of India

This matters deeply: when children turn for emotional solace to an algorithm instead of their parents or trusted adults, it can lead them down dangerous paths, loneliness, detachment, or even worse outcomes.

I get these thoughts often and am caught in the crossfire between talking more to my kids or hesitating at the thought of being a nagging parent. But remember to take the middle road. Always. Don't look for every opportunity to sweep in and start a "lecture". Your kids are going to distance themselves if you see a pattern. Surprise them with your silence and watch them come talk to you- something that teens and tweens don't do too often! As and when I chat and bond with my kids, here are some life lessons I want them to remember. While so much is being said about how being a parent is tough, being a child in today's hyper-competitive world is not easy either. 

Here is what I want my child to know: 

1. Success is great. But if failure is your first step, you will reach greater heights and appreciate your success more. 

2. Don't complain. It is a waste of time and no one benefits from that attitude. Always.

 3. Planning is great, but you don't need to have it all figured out all the time. Go with the flow, and you will be surprised. 

4. Remember to march to your own beat, even if you are alone.

 5. Remember always to love yourself before you want the world to love you. 

6. It's okay if the entire world doesn't always understand you- and that's okay. 

7. Whatever happens, whether things go right or wrong in life, remember you can always come back home to me, and my love for you is unconditional. 

We need to let our kids know, we are here for them, no matter what. Today, the world is way more complex than ever, and our kids are facing stressors that we never even heard of. It’s not irrelevant. It’s not that they are weak, and it’s definitely not that they are faking it. 

What Can We Do? A Parent's Action Plan

1. Talk openly about mental health. Let your child know it’s safe to share—not just when things are okay, but when they’re not.
2. Be curious, not combative. Ask gently if they’ve ever chatted with an AI—what they liked, and what felt off.
3. Bring the conversation to life. Share your own feelings. Let them know you don’t have to raise every question alone.
4. Watch for subtle changes. If your child seems withdrawn or more connected to a device than to family, that’s a signal to pause and check in.
5. Tap into trusted resources. India now has helplines like KIRAN (1800-599-0019) and Tele-MANAS, which have offered free counselling, over 65,000 calls in three years. 

Because yes, AI can listen, but it cannot understand your child the way you do. Your presence, compassion, and empathy remain irreplaceable. Let’s keep the conversations going. Because raising brave, emotionally healthy kids can’t happen in isolation or in silence.

If you want to learn how to form this strong bond with your kiddos, especially teens, we have launched a Teen Brain course that covers everything you need to know about understanding the adolescent brain and how parents can learn to form stronger connections with their teens. Comment Teen Brain, and I will share that link with you. Let's be informed parents rather than 'sorry parents'.

What's on your list of "things I want to tell my child, which I will eventually do through daily conversations or actions, but not in a preachy way"? 

Tell me as replies to this email or DM me on Instagram- would love to hear your thoughts. And in case anyone hasn't told you yet- you are doing a great job, Mumma! 

And with that, it's a wrap on this week's editorial. Also, if you like our newsletter every Friday, drop me some replies or reach me on my Instagram handles- @mansi.zaveri and @kidsstoppress. 

Ciao! Till then, Happy Parenting! 

Mansi Zaveri, 

Mom of 2 & Founder- Kidsstoppress.com