Why Boredom Is the Secret Superpower Kids Need in an AI-Obsessed World
How Giving Kids Space to Be Bored Sparks Imagination and Why Parents Are Key in the AI Era
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A Conversation That Changed My Summer Plans
Last week, I was deep in a spreadsheet comparing summer camps (STEM, art, nature, sports, and more). Some were even recommended by other parents in my kid’s class.
My husband looked up and asked, “Do we really have to sign her up for all this? Can’t we just take a break?”
I felt a pang of guilt. “But what if she’s missing out? All the other kids are doing these camps…”
He smiled and said, “It’s not our job to entertain her all the time. She has plenty to do. Maybe it’s okay if she’s a little bored.”
That moment clicked for me:
What if we just let her be bored? What if, instead of planning every minute, we gave her the space to own her summer and her imagination?
🤖 AI Concept of the Week: GenAI
What it is: Generative AI predicts what comes next, like the next word in a sentence or the next part of an image, based on patterns learned from vast amounts of data. It doesn’t think or feel; it uses math and probability to remix what it’s seen.
What it means for parents: GenAI can ease our mental load by organizing schedules or suggesting meal ideas. But unsupervised or unguided use by kids isn’t recommended yet. This is a great time for parents and kids to learn about AI together. Check out our TALK & THINK about AI framework to guide your conversation:
TALK & THINK Article | TALK About AI Video | THINK About AI Video
🧒How we can explain GenAI to our kids
For young kids (5-10 years):
Generative AI is like a smart helper that looks at many pictures and words. Then, when you give it an idea, it mixes pieces together to make something new, kind of like when you use building blocks to create a new castle. But it still needs you to tell it what to build.
For older kids (10+ years):
Generative AI learns by studying tons of writing, images, and videos. Then, when you ask it something, it uses patterns it learned to guess what should come next. It’s good at combining ideas and copying styles but it doesn’t actually understand the meaning like people do. It’s kind of like a really smart autocomplete.
💡 Reflective Bytes: When Did Boredom Become So Unbearable?
With AI ready to entertain us at every turn, are we losing our tolerance for boredom? When did even a few minutes of stillness start to feel so uncomfortable, for me and for my kids?
We live in a world where technology, especially AI, knows our preferences and fills every quiet moment with a swipe, a scroll, or a prompt. Even a sliver of “nothing to do” can feel unsettling.
But here’s what I’ve learned: this discomfort, boredom, is exactly what sparks creativity, resilience, and self-discovery. Things no algorithm can replace.1
I used to think boredom was something to fix quickly. An empty space to fill. But research shows boredom is actually a powerful launchpad for creativity, problem-solving, and emotional growth.23
When kids experience boredom, their brains get the freedom to wander, invent, and connect ideas in ways AI simply can’t.4 Studies also show that unstructured time supports self-regulation, independence, and better mental health.5
Reflective Questions:
When was the last time your child was truly bored? What did they do next?
How do you feel when there’s “nothing to do” for you or your kids?
In a world of instant answers and constant stimulation, what might we discover if we let it boredom linger a little longer this summer?
🤔 THINK framework spotlight: H for How Does it Work
Understanding how AI works helps kids build healthy tech habits. AI answers come from patterns in data it was trained on, which can be limited or biased, like a robot librarian with a limited library. It cannot know everything and sometimes makes mistakes or leaves out information. It’s important to elucidate the magic behind AI so kids can feel in control and not blindly trust AI’s suggestions.
🗂️ 5 Minutes Conversation Starter
Age 5-7:
”Imagine AI is like a robot librarian. It can only answer questions using the books it has in its library. If you ask about something that isn’t in any of its books, it might not know the answer or could even make something up! That’s why it’s good to check if the answer makes sense, just like you’d double-check a book.”
Age 8-12:
“Think of AI as a super-fast librarian with a huge library, but it only has the books it was given when it was built. When you ask a question, AI searches its library for patterns and information to give you an answer. But if those books are missing facts or have mistakes, the AI’s answer might be wrong or biased. That’s why it’s important to ask: ‘Where did this answer come from?’ and not trust it blindly.”
Age 13+:
”AI models are trained on massive collections of text, kind of like having access to a digital library. When you ask a question, AI looks for patterns in what it’s “read” to predict the best answers. But if certain perspective, facts, or up-to-date information aren’t in its training data, it can’t include them in its response. That’s why it’s important to think critically about AI’s answers. Just like you would too, if you were researching in a library with limited or outdated books.”
🌱 A Sneak Peek: The Boredom Challenge Is Coming!
This summer, I’m trying something new in our family! And I’d love for you to join us.
What if, instead of filling every day with camps and activities, we gave our kids (and ourselves) permission to be bored? What if we saw boredom not as a problem to fix, but as a spark for creativity, independence, and self-discovery?
Next month, I’ll share exactly how you can join our Boredom Challenge!
It’s simple and practical for any family, no matter your summer plans. All you need is a little space in your day and an open mind. Stay tuned!
💪 Parent-Powered AI Digest
New Books: The AI Con by Emily Bender and Alex Hanna & Empire of AI by Karen Hao
Two new books that cut through AI hype and explore its real impacts, ethics, and societal role.
What it means for parents: I found these reads to be a refreshing take from the typical AI headlines that either hype up or fearmonger AI. They’re honest & accessible reads about AI’s limits, risks, and influence on our children’s future.
Why it matters: Both books argue that the future of AI shouldn’t be decided by Silicon Valley alone. As parents, we deserve a seat at the table or at least to be heard by those at the table. Our voices matter in shaping how AI impacts our kids and communities.
MIT Technology Review: AI’s Soaring Energy Footprint
A recent MIT report reveals AI’s energy use is growing fast, with data centers now accounting for up to 4.4% of total U.S. electricity and projected to reach 12% by 2028. Just one billion ChatGPT queries a day equals enough energy to power over 10,000 US homes for a year.
What it means for parents: The growth of AI is also an environmental issue. These tools may feel “free” but the energy behind them isn’t. As AI becomes part of daily life, it’s important to recognize the true costs that our families and kids may ultimately bear.
KOSA 2.0 (Kids Online Safety Act) Reintroduced in Congress
The revised bill would require online platforms to limit addictive features, like infinite scrolling and autoplay, set stronger privacy defaults for minors, and give parents better tools to manage our child’s online experience. Another key update is the legal “duty of care,” meaning tech companies must actively prevent harms to kids, including exposure to anxiety, eating disorders, and bullying.
What it means for parents: If passed, this would shift more responsibility onto tech companies & give us, families, more control over our child’s digital lives! Stay informed and reach out to your representatives; policy decisions about tech and kids’ safety need real family voices, not just industry input.
🔑 Bottom Line
Boredom isn’t a problem to fix. Often, it’s a gift. In a world of instant answers and AI-powered stimulation, let’s protect the quiet moments that spark true creativity and growth.
And let’s remember that the future of AI should include our voices, not just those of tech giants.
Thanks for being part of this journey through the AI era of parenting.
Dhani
P.S. Summer officially starts June 20! I’ll share details on how to join our Boredom Challenge in the next month. Just in time for summer break.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-024-02851-7
https://inpact-psychologyconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023inpact144.pdf
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20200522-how-boredom-can-spark-creativity
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4060299/
https://www.cpha.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/resources/play/play_5reasons_infographic_e.pdf?utm_source=perplexity