From Screen Time to Family Time
March 16, 2026
Your almost daily guide to navigating AI as a family.
Hey friends,
This weekend, my daughter asked me if her new robot friend could do her math homework. I chuckled, but it got me thinking. We're all trying to figure out this AI thing, and our kids are right there with us, one step ahead sometimes. It's not about banning the tech, but about teaching them how to use it without losing the most important skill of all: how to think. Let's get into it.
Most Families Expect Kids to Be Fully Dependent on AI as Adults
The Story
A new report from Common Sense Media just dropped, and it's a big one. They surveyed parents and teens about AI, and the results are eye-opening. Over 70% of parents and 60% of kids believe that by the time today's kids are adults, they'll be so dependent on AI they won't be able to function without it. The kicker? More than half of parents think using AI for schoolwork is cheating, while more than half of kids think it should be encouraged.
What This Means for You
There's a massive disconnect between how we see AI and how our kids are actually using it. We're worried about dependency, they're excited about the possibilities. This isn't a conversation we can put off. It's happening now, in our homes, on their homework.
Try This Week: Ask your kid for a "tour" of the AI they use. No judgment, just curiosity. You might be surprised by what you learn.
Source: ABC News / Common Sense Media Report
Screen Time Tanked Kids' Test Scores — And AI Could Make It Worse
The Story
Remember when laptops in every classroom were going to change the world? Well, the data is in, and it's not great. A neuroscientist testified before Congress that Gen Z is the first generation in modern history to be less cognitively capable than their parents, and he's pointing the finger at screens. Now, a new Brookings Institute study warns that the risks of using generative AI in education might overshadow the benefits, leading to a decline in critical thinking.
What This Means for You
The convenience of AI is a double-edged sword. It can answer any question, but it can also prevent our kids from learning how to find the answers themselves. We need to be intentional about how we let AI into our kids' education. It should be a tool, not a crutch.
Try This Week: Institute a "no AI first" rule for homework. Have your child wrestle with the problem on their own for 15-20 minutes before they're allowed to ask an AI for help. The struggle is where the learning happens.
Source: Fortune
This AI-Powered School Promises Your Kid Will Be a Millionaire by Graduation
The Story
An AI-driven school in Austin, Texas called Alpha School is making a wild promise: your kid will earn $1 million by graduation, or you get a full tuition refund. The price tag? A cool $40,000 a year. They use AI to blast through a day's worth of academics in just two hours, then spend the rest of the day on real-world business projects and life skills, guided by six-figure coaches.
What This Means for You
This is the extreme, experimental edge of education, but it's a fascinating look at what's possible. It forces us to ask: what is the point of school? Is it to get good grades, or is it to build real-world skills and value? For all the entrepreneurs out there, this is a model to watch.
Try This Week: Start a mini "family business challenge." Give your kid a small budget, maybe $20, and challenge them to turn it into more. Let them use AI for research, marketing ideas, and planning. It's a low-stakes way to teach high-value skills.
Source: India Today
NVIDIA's Biggest AI Conference Is Here — And "Agentic AI" Is Taking Over
The Story
The biggest AI conference of the year, NVIDIA's GTC, is happening right now, and the buzzword on everyone's lips is "Agentic AI." These aren't just chatbots anymore; these are autonomous AI agents that can reason, use tools, and complete complex tasks on their own. Think of a personal assistant that can manage your calendar, book your travel, and even code an app for you, all while you sleep. The tech is moving fast.
What This Means for You
For entrepreneurs, this is the dawn of the one-person, AI-powered business. For parents, it means our kids will grow up with AI assistants that are as common as smartphones. The future of work is changing, and it's happening faster than we think.
Try This Week: Dip your toes into automation. Pick one repetitive task you do every day, like summarizing emails or drafting social media posts, and see if you can get an AI like ChatGPT or Claude to do it for you. Start small and see how much time you can get back.
Source: NVIDIA GTC Blog
Family AI Activity
This week's activity is called "AI Storytellers."
Open up a free AI image generator like Microsoft Designer's Image Creator or get a free trial of Midjourney. As a family, come up with a silly, imaginative story prompt. Something like, "A family of friendly purple monsters who live on the moon and love to eat pizza."
Type your prompt into the image generator and see what it creates. Take turns adding to the story, and generate a new image for each part. By the end, you'll have a unique, co-created, AI-illustrated storybook.
It's a fun way to be creative together and show your kids how AI can be a partner in imagination, not just a homework machine.
Join Me at the Goal Achiever's Summit in 2026!
I'm absolutely thrilled to share that I'll be on stage at the Goal Achiever's Summit in 2026 in MULTIPLE CITIES ACROSS THE US! These are can't-miss events for any entrepreneur, creator, or ambitious individual ready to transform their vision into reality. I'll be diving deep into my personal strategies for using AI to amplify your brand, streamline your workflows, and conquer your most audacious goals—all without losing sight of your core values. Plus you'll be leaving with the framework to build your own tools to help you in your business.
This Summit is so much more than a series of talks; it's a vibrant community of driven individuals dedicated to growth and making a real impact. You'll leave with a notebook full of actionable tactics, a network of powerful allies, and the fire to make 2026 your most successful year ever. Early bird tickets are available now, and I'd love to see you there. Let's build our empires together! First up is Denver on May 8th!
Join the Community
Looking for a place to connect with other parents who are navigating the world of AI? Join our free Facebook group, AI-Powered Super Parents.
Join the ConversationPick just one thing from this newsletter to try this week. Don't get overwhelmed. The goal is small, consistent steps.
Talk soon,
The AI Dad - Warren Schuitema
Matchless AI
