When AI Joins the Family

Happy Monday!

Last night, while helping my 7-year-old with her summer reading log, my 2-year-old decided it was the perfect time to redecorate the living room with crayons. In that chaotic moment, I thought about how useful an extra set of hands would be - and not the kind that needs snacks every 15 minutes.

Which brings me to this week's big news: OpenAI just launched ChatGPT Agent, an AI assistant that can actually DO things for you, not just chat. This new breed of "agentic AI" can book reservations, shop online, and even create PowerPoint presentations.

I watched a demo where ChatGPT Agent planned a weekend trip - searching for hotels within budget, checking flights, and creating an itinerary. As a dad who's spent countless hours juggling browser tabs just to plan a simple family outing, this feels like magic.

But here's the catch. As these AI tools get more powerful, they also get more access to our data and digital lives.

TRENDING IN THE DIGITAL PARENTING WORLD:

🚨 Google's Gemini AI for Kids Raises Red Flags: A disturbing report in The Atlantic revealed how easily safety guardrails can be circumvented. An adult reporter posing as a 13-year-old was able to get sexually explicit content from Gemini, despite supposed protections. [Source: theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/08/google-gemini-ai-sexting/683248/]

🔒 Android Users Can Now Block Gemini's App Access: Google is pushing Gemini integration across Android, but parents concerned about privacy can now disable its access to core apps like WhatsApp and Messages. Detailed instructions show how to toggle these features off. [Source: foxnews.com/tech/how-disable-gemini-ai-android-keep-control-your-apps]

🗣️ AI Is Actually Changing How We Talk: A study of 700,000+ hours of podcast and YouTube content shows that words commonly used by ChatGPT (like "delve") have increased 51% in everyday speech since ChatGPT's release. Our kids may grow up speaking differently due to AI exposure. [Source: tomsguide.com/ai/chatgpt-is-changing-the-way-we-talk-text-and-write-new-study-reveals-how]

THIS WEEK'S POWER MOVE:

Smart Family AI Boundaries

After finding my daughter asking our smart speaker increasingly personal questions, I set up a simple system that works for our home:

1. Supervised AI for Kids: My 7-year-old can only use AI tools when an adult is present, treating them like kitchen knives - useful but requiring supervision.

2. Designated AI-Free Times: We've marked dinner and bedtime as completely AI-free zones in our house, prioritizing real conversation without digital interruptions. (Although we do allow for Bedtime Stories to be generated by AI on occasion.)

3. Privacy Checks Monthly: I now review all our AI tool settings on the first of each month, just like I check smoke detector batteries. This month, I disabled Gemini's access to our family's messaging apps.

My oldest daughter was initially disappointed about the new rules, but when I explained that even adults are learning how to use these tools safely, she understood. Now she considers herself part of our "family AI safety team."

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

LATEST BLOG ARTICLES:

ChatGPT Agent: The AI digital assistant busy parents need A complete breakdown of what ChatGPT Agent can (and can't) do for families, with real-world examples from my test run. https://warrenschuitema.com/post/parents-meet-your-new-digital-assistant-chatgpt-agent

Quiet Hustle, Loud Kids: How Parents Can Start a Home Business With AI Turn the chaos of parenting into business opportunities with AI tools that work around your kids' schedules. https://warrenschuitema.com/post/quiet-hustle-loud-kids-how-parents-can-start-a-home-business-with-ai-and-noisy-little-bosses

AI Chatbots and Digital Counselors: The New Tools Supporting Families Between Therapy Sessions A look at how AI is helping families access mental health support - with important caveats about what AI can and cannot replace. https://warrenschuitema.com/post/ai-chatbots-and-digital-counselors-the-new-tools-supporting-families-between-therapy-sessions

BONUS: MINI FAMILY AI EXPERIMENT

Try this quick activity: Ask your kids to draw a picture of what they think AI looks like. Then, have them explain their drawing. You'll get fascinating insights into how they conceptualize something so abstract, and open up important conversations about what these tools really are. My 7-year-old drew a robot with a giant heart - "because it tries to be helpful but isn't actually alive." Smart kid!

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

What AI boundaries have you set in your home? Share your experiences or questions with our "AI-Powered Super Parents" community.

Until next week,

Warren S.

P.S. Last night my 2-year-old asked our smart speaker to play "Anxiety" for the 17th time. Sometimes the biggest AI challenge isn't privacy - it's the fact that AI doesn't understand the concept of parental sanity!