Why Your Kids Need AI Literacy — Not Just Screen Time Rules

Every parent I talk to has the same worry: "My kid is spending too much time on screens."

I get it. I'm a parent too. But here's the thing — the screen isn't the problem. What they're doing on it is.

The Consumption Trap

Right now, most kids interact with AI in exactly one way: passively. They ask ChatGPT to do their homework. They scroll algorithmically-curated feeds on TikTok. They accept whatever the machine serves them.

That's not learning. That's consumption.

What AI Literacy Actually Means

AI literacy isn't about learning to code (though that's part of it for older kids). It's about:

Critical thinking: Understanding that AI outputs aren't truth — they're predictions
Prompt crafting: Learning to ask better questions and give clearer instructions
Creative building: Using AI as a tool to create, not just consume
Ethics awareness: Knowing about bias, privacy, and responsible use

The Skills That Matter

By 2030, an estimated 65% of today's students will work in jobs that don't exist yet. The kids who thrive won't be the ones who can use AI — everyone will be able to do that.

The kids who thrive will be the ones who can think with AI, direct it, and build with it.

What You Can Do Today

Ask your kids what they use AI for — you might be surprised
Try building something together — even a simple story or image
Talk about how it works — not the math, just the concepts
Consider structured learning — programs like Promptlings give kids a framework

The future belongs to creators, not consumers. Let's make sure our kids are ready.

Matt Martin is the founder of Promptlings, an AI literacy program for kids ages 8-18. Join the waitlist →