This episode of Marriage Unhindered with Doug Hinderer and his daughter Monica (a licensed therapist) gets real about something we seriously need to talk about: chatbots as your kid’s new imaginary friend. 😬
Check out the whole hour here.
🤖 So, What’s the Big Deal with Chatbots?
They’re basically AI-powered “friends” that kids can talk to, confide in, and even name.
Monica explains that unlike traditional imaginary friends: which help kids grow in creativity, empathy, emotional regulation, and even spiritual development…these AI buddies don’t require any imagination. Kids just consume instead of create. 🧠✨
🚨 Real Talk: Why This Matters
Imaginative play is how kids practice being human; they learn how to express themselves, manage emotions, and even understand deeper concepts like God. 💭
But now, instead of making up adventures, kids are outsourcing imagination to a screen. 😐
Guess what? 51% of teens have already chatted with AI bots… but only 37% of parents even know.
🧒 So… What Can We Do?
Doug and Monica offer some super practical wisdom for parents:
–Delay the Smartphone Invasion
One caller (shoutout John in Boston! ☎️) didn’t give his kids smartphones until high school…and even they thanked him later. 🙏
-📵Model Moderation
Kids learn tech habits from us. So yeah, put your phone down too. (Oof, that one hurt. But it’s true. 😅)
–Prioritize Real Human Interaction
Enroll them in activities. Invite friends over. Be the house with the snacks. 🍕🧃 Make real community irresistible.
-Faith + Imagination Go Hand-in-Hand
Imagination helps kids understand the invisible: like the reality of God, angels, and grace. So, preserving that part of their brain is super important. ✝️
Chatbots aren’t the enemy; they’re just tools. But if we don’t teach our kids how to use them well, someone else (or some-thing else) will. 😬
So be aware. Be present. And maybe kick them out to the backyard once in a while and say, “Go find a stick and use your brain.” 🪵😂
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