Struggling to set family AI boundaries? Read this

Hi there, {{first_name | friend}},

You have family rules for screen time, seatbelts, and stranger danger.

But AI? This is new territory for so many families, especially as we’re learning alongside our kids.

Just as we limit screen time before bed and require seatbelts on every ride, kids need boundaries for AI use too. 

Because if you don't define your kids’ tech and AI boundaries, they’ll do it for you. They'll figure out what works, what they can get away with, and what feels normal based on what they see around them. That's a lot of responsibility to put on a young person who's still learning how to regulate their own impulses and emotions.

Setting AI boundaries doesn't mean getting it perfect the first time. In fact, you probably won't. You might start with "no generative AI for kids" only to realize generative AI is already embedded in apps your kids use.

That's okay, you can adjust. The goal isn't to have rigid rules. It’s to make intentional decisions that you revisit whenever you need to. What worked when your child was 7 might not work at 9. Check in with yourself and your family regularly: what's working, what's not, and what needs to shift?

See the full carousel on Instagram and share your own tech and AI boundary questions in the comments.

“Boundaries are love.” That’s the main takeaway  Dr. Julie Fernandes, occupational therapist and mom of 3, shares in the recent podcast episode where we talk about:    

If you're feeling lost in the face of screens, schedules, or family chaos, this episode is a powerful reminder that you actually have more control than you give yourself credit for. 

Listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Act as my personal tech support agent. Walk me through setting up parental controls on [specific app or device] for my [age] year old. Assume I'm not tech-savvy and break it down into clear, numbered steps with descriptions of what I should see at each stage. Include what settings to enable, what to disable, how to test that it's working, and what to watch out for. Also explain what these controls can and cannot do so I understand the limits. Format as a step-by-step tutorial I can follow along with in real time.

Act as a tech-savvy parenting expert who tells it like it is. I'm going to share the AI boundaries I've set for my family. Give me honest, constructive feedback on what's working, what might backfire, where I have gaps, and what I might be missing. Challenge me if something seems unrealistic, too vague, or likely to cause resentment. Then help me revise the boundaries to be clearer, more enforceable, and more aligned with my actual family values. Format as critical coaching notes with specific suggestions for improvement that I can add to app instructions and personalization settings.

Act as a child development expert and family communication coach. Help me create an age-appropriate script to introduce tech boundaries to my kids [ages]. The script should explain our family's why, invite their input without giving them full control, and frame boundaries as something we do together, not something done to them. Include language that acknowledges their feelings, sets clear expectations, and makes space for questions. Format as a conversation outline I can use at the dinner table or during a family meeting.

What are your family’s AI boundaries? I’d love to hear what’s working for your family and potentially include it in my book, AI Empowered Family (coming from Wiley in 2027). Your input can be anonymous or attributed to you, whichever you prefer!

And as always, thanks for being here.

Until next time,

P.S. I’ve gotten a lot of questions about Claude this week. If you’re ready to switch to using Claude from another AI tool but not sure where to start, I created this one page guide: