How to Use This Guide
These questions are designed to spark meaningful conversations about AI and technology. You don't need to use them all at once pick one or two that fit naturally into your day. The goal is to listen, learn together, and help your child think critically.
Remember: There are no wrong answers. These are about exploration, not testing!
"What apps or games do you use that seem to know what you like?"
- How do you think they figure that out?
- How does it feel when something is recommended to you?
- Is it helpful or a bit creepy or both?
Good for: During dinner or car rides
"Have you ever asked Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant something? Did it give you a good answer?"
- What do you think happens when you talk to them?
- Do you think they're really listening all the time?
- Is there anything you wouldn't ask them?
Good for: When using a smart device at home
"When you're typing a message, does your phone suggest the next word? How do you think it knows?"
- Does it ever suggest something funny or wrong?
- Would you let it write a whole message for you?
Good for: When texting together
"How does YouTube/TikTok know what videos you want to watch?"
- Do you ever watch something you didn't plan to?
- Has it ever shown you something that made you uncomfortable?
- What would you do if it did?
Good for: After screen time
"If you read something online, how do you know if it's true?"
- Have you ever shared something that turned out to be fake?
- What clues help you spot fake information?
- Would you check if a friend sent it?
Good for: When seeing news or social posts
"Have you heard of AI that can make fake photos or videos of real people? What do you think about that?"
- How could someone misuse this technology?
- How might you tell if a video was fake?
- Should there be rules about this?
Good for: When discussing news or celebrities
"Do you think AI is smart like humans, or smart in a different way?"
- What can AI do better than humans?
- What can humans do that AI can't?
- Can AI feel emotions or be creative?
Good for: Long car rides or walks
"If ChatGPT helped you write an essay, would you say YOU wrote it?"
- Where is the line between getting help and cheating?
- How is it different from using a calculator for math?
- What do you actually learn if AI does the work?
Good for: During homework time
"What information would you never tell a chatbot or AI?"
- Why is it risky to share personal info with AI?
- Where do you think that information goes?
- Has an AI ever asked you something personal?
Good for: After using a chatbot
"If someone online asked you to send a photo, what would you do?"
- How can you tell if someone online is really who they say they are?
- Could AI be used to trick you about someone's identity?
- What would you do if this happened to a friend?
Good for: Regular check-ins
"Have you ever gotten a message that seemed weird or suspicious?"
- What made it seem off?
- Could AI be used to create scam messages?
- What's our plan if you get one?
Good for: When checking messages together
"How would you feel if someone made a fake picture of you using AI?"
- What would you do about it?
- Who would you tell?
- How can we keep your photos safe?
Good for: When discussing social media
"What job do you think you might want when you grow up? How might AI change that job?"
- Could AI help with that job? How?
- What skills will humans always need?
- What new jobs might AI create?
Good for: Thoughtful moments
"If you could invent an AI to help with anything, what would you create?"
- How would you make sure it was used safely?
- Could your invention be misused? How?
- What rules would you set for it?
Good for: Creative time
"Should there be rules about how companies use AI? What rules would you make?"
- Who should make these rules?
- How would you enforce them?
- What's the most important rule?
Good for: When discussing tech news
"Do you think AI will make the world better or more complicated?"
- What's the best thing AI could do for the world?
- What worries you most about AI?
- What excites you most about AI?
Good for: Deep conversations
"Have you ever felt like you spent too long on your phone or games? What helps you take a break?"
- How do apps try to keep you playing or scrolling?
- What signals tell you it's time for a break?
- What do you enjoy doing that doesn't involve screens?
Good for: After long screen sessions
"Is there anything you've seen online that confused you or made you uncomfortable?"
- Do you know you can always talk to me about it?
- What made you feel that way?
- What did you do when you felt like that?
Good for: Bedtime chats
"Is there anything about AI or technology that worries you?"
- What have you heard from friends about AI?
- Is there anything you'd like to know more about?
- What would help you feel more confident about technology?
Good for: One-on-one time
"Do you ever prefer talking to AI (like Siri) over asking a person? Why?"
- What's different about talking to AI vs. people?
- Are there things you'd only ask AI?
- Can AI really understand you like a person can?
Good for: Curious moments
Turn it Into an Activity
AI Scavenger Hunt: Spend a day noticing AI together. Every time someone spots AI (voice assistant, recommendation, autocomplete, etc.), call it out! See who finds the most.
Reverse Questions: Let your child interview YOU about technology. What did you think computers would be like when you were young? What surprises you about technology today?