The big buzz word these days is AI—Artificial Intelligence. In fact, I have met several high school and college students who say they want to pursue careers in AI. For this week’s TTT, I want to bring up the AI devices that many homes have or will get: Amazon’s Alexa and Echo, and Google Home.
These devices can be an incredible asset to some people. For instance, for those who have limitations with their vision, the device provides them valuable information. I know of several friends who are getting these for their aging parents to help them with tasks like playing music, making calls and finding information.
There are several concerns with such devices, particularly regarding very young people. Recently the toy company, Mattel, planned to release a baby monitor called, “Aristotle.” The idea was that it would form an emotional tie with a baby by doing things like singing and reading to the child.
A device like the Aristotle would give Mattel and other corporations around the clock access to the baby, and collect data which they would use to market to his/her parents. When the people at the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood and the Story of Stuff Project heard about this device, they started a petition that amassed 20,000 signatures, and ultimately put a stop to Aristotle’s release. Mattel has decided to not bring the monitor to market, at least for now.
Another topic to consider is that communication with these devices can be a bit worrisome when toddlers and young kids are around. When adults yell out commands at such devices, it turns out toddlers start to do the same. How will this impact the way in which they act with other kids and adults?
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Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast
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Our movie made for parents and educators of younger kids
Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!
Register your interest in bringing our new movie to your school or community
Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast
Learn more about our Screen-Free Sleep campaign at the website!
Our movie made for parents and educators of younger kids
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast
Register your interest in bringing our new movie to your school or community
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The big buzz word these days is AI—Artificial Intelligence. In fact, I have met several high school and college students who say they want to pursue careers in AI. For this week’s TTT, I want to bring up the AI devices that many homes have or will get: Amazon’s Alexa and Echo, and Google Home.
These devices can be an incredible asset to some people. For instance, for those who have limitations with their vision, the device provides them valuable information. I know of several friends who are getting these for their aging parents to help them with tasks like playing music, making calls and finding information.
There are several concerns with such devices, particularly regarding very young people. Recently the toy company, Mattel, planned to release a baby monitor called, “Aristotle.” The idea was that it would form an emotional tie with a baby by doing things like singing and reading to the child.
A device like the Aristotle would give Mattel and other corporations around the clock access to the baby, and collect data which they would use to market to his/her parents. When the people at the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood and the Story of Stuff Project heard about this device, they started a petition that amassed 20,000 signatures, and ultimately put a stop to Aristotle’s release. Mattel has decided to not bring the monitor to market, at least for now.
Another topic to consider is that communication with these devices can be a bit worrisome when toddlers and young kids are around. When adults yell out commands at such devices, it turns out toddlers start to do the same. How will this impact the way in which they act with other kids and adults?
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The big buzz word these days is AI—Artificial Intelligence. In fact, I have met several high school and college students who say they want to pursue careers in AI. For this week’s TTT, I want to bring up the AI devices that many homes have or will get: Amazon’s Alexa and Echo, and Google Home.
These devices can be an incredible asset to some people. For instance, for those who have limitations with their vision, the device provides them valuable information. I know of several friends who are getting these for their aging parents to help them with tasks like playing music, making calls and finding information.
There are several concerns with such devices, particularly regarding very young people. Recently the toy company, Mattel, planned to release a baby monitor called, “Aristotle.” The idea was that it would form an emotional tie with a baby by doing things like singing and reading to the child.
A device like the Aristotle would give Mattel and other corporations around the clock access to the baby, and collect data which they would use to market to his/her parents. When the people at the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood and the Story of Stuff Project heard about this device, they started a petition that amassed 20,000 signatures, and ultimately put a stop to Aristotle’s release. Mattel has decided to not bring the monitor to market, at least for now.
Another topic to consider is that communication with these devices can be a bit worrisome when toddlers and young kids are around. When adults yell out commands at such devices, it turns out toddlers start to do the same. How will this impact the way in which they act with other kids and adults?
AI-powered game characters that kids can actually talk with are starting to appear. It's an emerging trend with real concerns, from privacy to kids turning to AI for support. I share where it's showing up and three questions to ask kids who game.
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AI can do remarkable things, but the risks to young people are here now, from deepfakes and sextortion to AI companions linked to teen suicides. In Screenagers: Generation AI, we look at why AI literacy belongs in schools, meaning critical thinking about how AI works and who designed it, not just how to use it. I share what a few states are starting to mandate, and why this can't sit with parents alone.
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Adam's Law was signed in California last week, named for Adam Raine, the 16-year-old who died by suicide in April 2025 after months of conversations with ChatGPT. It bars companion chatbots from encouraging self-harm, claiming to be human, simulating romantic interest in children, or claiming a special understanding of a child. That last group of protections particularly gets my attention. The good news is that people care deeply and are working hard to put guardrails in place, but we can't assume it's all resolved, because it isn't.
READ MORE >for more like this, DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S NEW BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, IS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR TODAY’S PARENTS. WITH INSIGHTS ON SCREEN TIME FROM RESEARCHERS, INPUT FROM KIDS & TEENS, THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH SOLUTIONS FOR HOW TO START AND SUSTAIN PRODUCTIVE FAMILY TALKS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND IT’S IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL WELLBEING.
