📌 Here’s what you’ll learn in today’s issue:

• What an MIT brain scan study reveals about how AI may weaken memory, creativity, and critical thinking in kids

• The AI catch-22: why your child has to use it to get ahead, and how to make sure it doesn’t become a crutch

• A simple 5-step plan to protect your child’s brain while still building real AI skills at home and in school

• Mattel is putting ChatGPT in Barbies, Hot Wheels and more toys

🧠 The Big Idea: We Need to be Incredibly Careful About Brain Development

We’re going to start today’s issue by being very blunt.

Social media has been bad enough, but we’ve only begun to scratch the surface of how AI may destroy brain development in kids.

If not used properly that is. 

A new study from MIT's Media Lab just revealed this exactly.

Not that it’s surprising. 

They imaged people's brains as they wrote essays. Some used ChatGPT, others used Google, and others wrote entirely on their own.

What they discovered was incredible.

People who used ChatGPT:

• Had less brain activity in areas of the brain related to memory, imagination, and decision-making

• Were less likely to remember what they wrote

• Felt less in touch with their own thoughts

• And when they went back to writing on their own, their minds were still not as active as before

Let that sink in: their brains were quieter even after they stopped using the AI.

Now ask yourself this:

If that's what it does to grown-ups…

What might be doing to a 12-year-old?

Your child's brain is still maturing. Still wiring for the future.

And if AI does their thinking for them, those "thinking muscles" don't get used. They may not learn to:

* Grapple with tough questions

* Sit in not knowing

* Think up their own ideas

And that's a huge problem.

Because life doesn't provide perfect answers. Real thinking is messy. Slow. Occasionally maddening.

If your child cuts that step out of the equation, they may miss something a whole lot more precious than an A.

But here's the catch…

You can't just keep them isolated from AI, either.

That's the catch.

The truth is: AI is not disappearing. In fact, kids who don't get to know it are going to fall behind.

It's already being used for writing, research, coding, presentations, and in school.

And the kids who learn how to use it will have a huge head start.

So what do you do?

You don't ban it.

You monitor it.

Because here's the good news:

AI can be an amazing learning tool if used the right way.

In fact, with teachers and parents on board, AI can:

* Speed up learning

* Teach kids to pose better questions

* Heighten curiosity and creativity

* Make routine tasks fun, exciting tasks

But the caveat is:

AI must never replace thinking. It must assist it.

I.e., your child shouldn't be using chatbots to avoid doing the tough work. They can utilize them to dig deeper, find out more, and increase their confidence.

And that only if you guide them.

In today's Action Plan below, we show you a simple but powerful way how to…

* Protect your child's brain without stifling them

* Help you create wise rules in the home and classroom

* Show you how to talk about AI in a way that fosters trust and curiosity

* Know when your child is using AI too much

It’s time to level up our parenting. As we always remind you, if we don’t advocate for our kids, who will?

💬 Future Proof Parent ACTION Plan

How to Help Your Child Utilize AI Without Hurting Their Brain

AI can supercharge your child's learning — but only if used with purpose.

This tactic gives you a simple way of protecting your child's brain development while still giving them the AI skills they will need tomorrow.

Just do these 5 steps:

✅ Step 1: Set a Simple Principle

"AI assists you in thinking, not in not thinking."

Set this as your family AI principle. Post it in front of their computer. Remind them often.

Explain that AI is a tool — a calculator or dictionary — not a means to skip learning.

✅ Step 2: Use AI Only for Active Learning

Instruct your child to:

* Brainstorm ideas

* Receive feedback on their writing

* Ask questions when they're puzzled

* Compare various answers and verify them

Do NOT allow them to use AI to:

* Do entire essays or homework answers

* Avoid reading, thinking, or practicing

Ask: "How did you use AI to help you learn today?"

✅ Step 3: Set Clear Time & Place Limits

Too much use of chatbots can lead to laziness of the mind.

Use this simple format:

* No AI tools before they have tried the task for themselves first

* Use AI only in shared spaces (e.g., kitchen or living room)

* Cap schoolwork use of AI at 15–30 minutes per session

This gives their brain an opportunity to struggle with it, before seeking help. 

✅ Step 4: Talk Through What They're Learning

Your attention makes all the difference.

Ask open-ended questions like:

* "What surprised you today?"

* "How did the chatbot explain it differently?"

* "What do you think of that answer?"

This encourages reflection, memory, and critical thinking — the same skills that AI use can erode if not balanced.

✅ Step 5: Keep School in the Loop

Talk to teachers.

Let them know you're setting limits on your child's AI use at home and want the same at school.

Ask:

* "What are students doing with AI in class?"

* "Are there rules we can follow together?"

When home and school work together, AI becomes a bridge instead of a crutch.

By following this plan, you’re protecting your child’s most important tool — their mind — while also preparing them to thrive in a world powered by AI. 🤖

🐝 What’s Buzzing for Mom & Dad Today

Big shifts are happening fast: from AI stepping into the co-parenting role to real concerns about how it's shaping our kids' creativity. Here’s what Future Proof Parents are digging into right now:

🧸 Mattel + ChatGPT: AI Toys Are Coming
The company behind Barbie and Hot Wheels is now using OpenAI’s tech to power new AI-enabled toys. That means your toddler’s favorite talking doll might soon run ChatGPT.
Read the article →

🍼 Sam Altman Is Using ChatGPT to Raise His Baby
The OpenAI CEO says he uses his own AI tools daily to get help with parenting questions. At least he’s practicing what he preaches — and it shows just how deeply AI is becoming part of modern family life.
See the story →

📵 Instagram Accounts Getting Banned by AI?
Seen people randomly lose their Instagram accounts lately? You’re not alone. A surge of user complaints suggests AI-powered moderation might be the cause. Another reminder: AI isn’t just in school — it’s running your family’s digital life, too.
What’s going on →

📬 Like What You’re Reading?

Please forward this email to a parent who cares about preparing their kids for the future. Or send them to FutureProofParent.com to get our updates delivered straight to their inbox.

No fluff. No fear-mongering. Just clear, practical insights to help families thrive in an AI-powered world.