Raised on AI: How parents and policymakers are navigating the digital age

The September 2026 issue of MIT Technology Review explores the complex relationship between the younger generation and the rapidly evolving digital landscape. The publication’s editor’s letter highlights a significant cultural shift towards tech scepticism, driven by concerns over how artificial intelligence agents and chatbots are shaping childhood development. This movement is characterised by a desire to limit children’s exposure to digital devices, a stance that has moved from a niche parenting choice to a broader societal trend.

The issue notes that this shift is reflected in recent regulatory actions around the globe. Australia was the first country to enact a social media ban for children under 16, a measure followed by similar announcements from nations such as Austria and Indonesia. In the United States, the Supreme Court recently upheld an age verification law in Texas that functions as a de facto ban on social media for minors, while several states have considered their own measures. School districts across the country are also banning educational devices like iPads and Chromebooks in favour of physical books.

The debate was propelled into the mainstream by Jonathan Haidt’s 2024 book, The Anxious Generation, which examined the impact of smartphones on youth mental health. Although some developmental psychologists have criticised Haidt’s conclusions, the book resonated with many parents. The issue points out that even prominent figures in the tech industry, including Mark Zuckerberg, have been known to limit their children’s access to social media and public digital footprints, suggesting that the desire to protect young people from algorithmic influence is widespread.

Children themselves appear to be embracing this scepticism. The issue highlights that the vintage Sony Walkman has become a popular gadget among the Gen Alpha demographic, symbolising a rejection of modern smart technology in favour of simpler, analog experiences. This trend suggests that young people are not merely passive recipients of digital culture but are actively choosing how they engage with the tools available to them.

To provide a direct voice to this demographic, MIT Technology Review collaborated with the editors of the teen magazine Anyway. The editors gathered insights from young people regarding their feelings towards AI and the future. According to the issue, the responses were complex, fascinating, and notably sophisticated, offering a nuanced perspective on how children navigate a world increasingly defined by artificial intelligence.

The editor’s letter also details a personal evolution in parenting strategies, moving from strict limitations to a more balanced approach. While initially relying on flip phones to preserve privacy and limit screen time, the editor has since allowed older children to use an iPhone and an Apple Watch. These devices have facilitated social connection and independence, allowing children to build relationships that move seamlessly between digital and physical spaces. This shift underscores the challenge of preparing children for the actual world they inhabit, rather than the idealised one parents might wish for.

A sidebar in the issue also touches on the technical complexities of AI, noting a new technique that allows companies to probe Large Language Models more deeply. This method has revealed that AI can generate new stereotypes rather than simply learning from training data, a phenomenon linked to reward hacking. This technical detail adds another layer to the conversation, reminding readers that the systems children are growing up with are still being understood and refined.