From Screen Time to Real Time: The New Teen AI Reality Parents Can’t Ignore

Happy Monday!

Caught my 7-year-old trying to "talk to the TV" last week, asking it questions like it was ChatGPT. Had to explain the difference between streaming boxes and AI assistants. Kids these days expect everything to listen and respond (something that seems impossible for them…..right?!?!)! Got me thinking about how quickly young people adapt to—and sometimes misunderstand—the AI tools around them.

This last weekend we took the girls to Lewis’ Adventure Farm & Market in New Era, MI with their cousins and grandparents and spent a hot Friday afternoon enjoying everything they had to offer (which is a TON now - splash pad, “Rat Maze” - that our oldest daughter loved, big corn play area, all kinds of animals to pet and feed, and much more!). 

It was great having my Meta Ray-ban glasses with me to snap quick photos of everyone having fun, and not have to worry about grabbing my phone out of my pocket.  My Mom even made a comment, “Are those your new fancy AI glasses?”.....Yes, they are Mom. LOL

TRENDING IN THE DIGITAL PARENTING WORLD:

70% of teens are using AI companions for personal advice and emotional support A shocking new study shows over 70% of teens now use AI companions regularly, with 31% finding these conversations "as satisfying or more satisfying" than talking with real friends. Most concerning: 33% discuss serious issues with AI instead of real people. Source: LA Times/Common Sense Media, Aug 2025

AI systems show bias toward machine-created content Research reveals large language models consistently favor AI-generated content over human-written text—even when human reviewers rate them equally. This creates a hidden problem for students doing research, as AI tools might unknowingly steer them toward machine-generated sources. Source: Forbes, Aug 2025

ChatGPT-5 officially launches with improved safety tools for families OpenAI released the fifth generation of ChatGPT this week, bringing smarter reasoning, better memory, and improved safety features. Initial tests show the model is significantly better at identifying age-inappropriate requests and providing age-appropriate responses. (Read more about it in my blog article later in the newsletter) Source: Greenwich Time, Aug 2025

🎤 Ready to Make 2026 Your Breakthrough Year for You AND Your Family?

Join Me at the Goal Achievers Summit — Orlando, Dec 29-30!

🌟 This isn’t just another conference. It’s a two-day, life-changing reset for people who are DONE playing small and READY to make big moves.

Here’s the deal:

40 world-class speakers (including me!),

Thousands of actionable ideas for every area of your life - including family,

All dedicated to helping you create the year you’ve always wanted.

And right now, I’ve got a handful of exclusive tickets at just $100. (After those are gone, the price jumps to $497. Don’t wait!)

Why join us?

Here's the game-changer: our Master Mind groups.

Every attendee gets matched with like-minded professionals who become your accountability partners for the entire year - (who knows, I might even be your accountability partner). When you want to quit on your Q2 goals, they won't let you. When you hit a breakthrough in Q3, they'll celebrate with you.

It's like having a personal board of directors who are just as committed to your success as you are.

This is why Goal Achievers Summit isn't just another conference - it's a complete achievement ecosystem that supports you long after December 30th ends.

Unbeatable value: Full 2-day pass for less than dinner and a movie.

Hilton Orlando perks (where the conference is being held): $159/night rooms, NO resort or parking fees, and all the extras (WiFi, fitness, more).

Make it a family getaway: Stay for New Year’s Eve fireworks! I’m bringing my family!

Perfect timing: Reflect, plan, and network with growth-minded achievers as you launch into 2026.

🔗 Grab your ticket now: 👉 Secure Your $100 Spot

Picture yourself in the room, shaping your next chapter. Don’t just dream big - act BOLD. Only a handful of tickets left at this price. When they’re gone, they’re gone, and the price goes to $697…

Let’s make this the year everything changes. See you in Orlando!

Got questions? Just hit reply and ask. I’m happy to share more!

THIS WEEK'S POWER MOVE:

Family AI Literacy Check-In My wife and I just started a new Saturday morning ritual with our 7-year-old: a quick 10-minute chat about any AI tools she used that week - at home, or at school. We ask what she liked, what confused her, and if anything made her uncomfortable. It's not meant to be an interrogation, more like a casual check-in. The goal is creating a judgment-free zone where she feels comfortable asking questions about technology.

For older kids, try asking what AI tools they've discovered recently and how they're using them for homework or creative projects. Let them be the experts and teach you something! This approach builds trust while keeping you informed about their digital world.

BLOG ARTICLES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:

Two Weeks Left: How Families Can Use AI to Squeeze the Most Out of Summer Learn how to use AI to plan fun outings, capture memories, and prep for school without stress—so you can focus on moments that matter, not the chaos. Read more

ChatGPT-5 Is Here: How Parents Can Use the New Model—Safely, Smartly, and Creatively Discover how parents can use ChatGPT-5's smarter reasoning, longer memory, and safer tools to boost learning, spark creativity, and keep kids' screen time positive. Read more

Back-to-School Success: How to Use AI and Smart Home Tech for Family Goal Setting Learn how AI tools and smart home tech can help families set goals, stay organized, and build positive habits this school year. Read more

BONUS: FAMILY AI CHALLENGE

This week, try the "AI Art Guessing Game" with your kids.

Each family member uses an AI art generator to create an image based on the same prompt (like "underwater castle" or "space dinosaurs").

Don't show your screens! When everyone's done, display all the images and try to guess who created which prompt variation.

It's a fun way to discuss how different AI tools work and how specific you need to be with instructions.

My 2-year-old can't participate yet, but she loves pointing at the "pretty pictures" while our cats Anna and Elsa completely ignore our family fun.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

How is your family navigating the balance between screen time and family time? I'd love to hear your stories, challenges, and wins. Join our "AI-Powered Super Parents" Facebook group to share your insights and be part of a growing community of parents that are preparing for the Future with their Family!

Until next week,

Warren S.