Jingle Bells in June - and Why It's Time to Talk to Kids About AI
An everyday moment with Siri turned into a lesson about how our kids are already interacting with AI - and why it's time to start talking about it.
A few weeks ago, my younger daughter (almost 3) discovered that she could ask Siri to play music on our home speaker. What started as a cute experiment quickly turned into a full-blown campaign:
“Hey Siri, play Jingle Bells!”
“Hey Siri, Jingle Bells again!”
“Hey SIRI—JINGLE! BELLS!”
It is June.
And look, I’m not anti-holiday cheer. But there’s something surreal about fresh squeezed lemonade on the patio while Bing Crosby croons about sleigh rides. The real kicker? My kids figured out they could override our music choices just by being louder and more persistent with the voice assistant. (Time to change the settings!)
That moment—equal parts funny and maddening—got me thinking: our kids are already interacting with artificial intelligence.
They’re not waiting until high school to write essays with ChatGPT. They’re already talking to Alexa, exploring AI filters on Snapchat, and clicking “magic” buttons in drawing apps that turn scribbles into watercolor masterpieces.
So here’s the thing: if your kid is old enough to say “Hey Siri,” they’re old enough to start learning about AI—especially generative AI, which creates new content like text, images, audio, and even video.
Why It’s Time to Talk About Generative AI
We’re in a moment of radical transformation. Tools like ChatGPT, DALL·E, and Google Gemini aren’t just science fiction anymore—they’re already embedded in our homes, classrooms, and devices.
And while AI can be a powerful tool for creativity and learning, it also comes with some real concerns: misinformation, deepfakes, privacy issues, and ethical dilemmas.
According to Common Sense Media, kids and teens are already using generative AI—often without understanding how it works or how it can be misused. A 2023 report found that nearly 60% of teens had heard of ChatGPT, but only a fraction understood its risks or limitations.
That’s where we come in—as parents, caregivers, and educators. We don’t need to be tech experts—we just need to be willing to start the conversation.
Scripts + Activities for Talking to Kids About AI
Here’s how to talk about AI in ways that are developmentally appropriate, non-alarming, and even fun. Each section includes a conversation starter and a hands-on activity you can do together to explore how generative AI really works.
Ages 0–5: Focus on Real vs. Not Real
Key Message: AI isn’t magic—it’s pretend. It doesn’t have feelings or a brain.
💬 Script:
“Do you know how Siri or Alexa can talk to us? It’s kind of like a robot game. It doesn’t really think or feel—it’s just guessing what we want to hear. It’s fun to play with, but it doesn’t know everything, and it can make silly mistakes. That’s why we still ask a grown-up when we’re not sure.”
🎯 Try this activity:
👂 Robot Says
Take turns pretending to be a “robot” who follows commands exactly. Let your child give you instructions like “walk forward two steps,” and act confused when directions are vague. Then switch roles. This play helps them understand that machines don’t think—they just follow instructions.
Ages 5–10: Focus on How AI Works
Key Message: AI learns from examples, not from understanding.
💬 Script:
“You know how you learned to read by looking at lots of books? AI tools like ChatGPT or drawing apps work a little like that—they’ve seen tons of examples, and now they try to guess what to say or draw. But even though they can sound really smart, they don’t actually understand like people do.”
🎯 Try this activity:
✏️ Quick, Draw!
Play this free game from Google where kids draw objects and the AI tries to guess what they’re drawing. After a few rounds, ask: “Did it ever guess wrong?” “Why do you think that happened?”
Ages 10–13: Focus on Thinking Critically
Key Message: Just because it sounds right doesn’t mean it is right.
💬 Script:
“Have you heard of tools like ChatGPT or DALL·E? They’re cool because they can write stories or create art with just a few words. But here’s the catch: they can also be totally wrong or even make things up. If you ever use one for school or fun, always ask yourself, ‘Does this make sense?’ or ‘Where did this come from?’”
🎯 Try this activity:
🧪 True or Made Up? Game
Ask ChatGPT and Google the same wacky question (e.g., “Can turtles breathe through their butts?”). Then check the answer on a reliable site like NatGeo Kids or Britannica. Compare the answers and talk about which one felt more trustworthy—and why.
Ages 13–18: Focus on Ethics and Impact
Key Message: AI is a powerful tool—and with power comes responsibility.
💬 Script:
“AI is everywhere right now—from school assignments to social media filters to deepfake videos. It’s amazing for learning and creativity, but it also raises big questions: What’s real? What’s ethical? What happens if AI copies someone’s voice or art without permission? I want you to be someone who uses these tools wisely—by checking sources and thinking critically.”
🎯 Try this activity:
🎙️ Explore Deepfakes (Safely)
Search YouTube for “how to spot a deepfake” using educational channels like PBS Terra or SciShow. Watch together and discuss what clues helped you spot the fake.
Final Thought
You don’t need to be a tech expert to raise a digitally literate kid.
You just need to be curious, connected, and willing to say:
“Let’s figure this out together.”
So the next time your kids are hounding Siri for Christmas carols in June, use it as a jumping-off point. Ask,
“What do you think Siri really is?”
“Why do you think she plays what you ask for?”
“What would you do if Siri said something that wasn’t true?”
In a world where artificial intelligence is growing fast, human intelligence—compassion, critical thinking, and curiosity—is what our kids need most.
✨ Want more scripts like this?
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Loved it. I always believe that I need to make my son tech wise and not tech free. They are like tools and we must know how to use it appropriately.
Love the activity for 5 year olds - I'm looking forward to trying it.