More and more toys are providing personalized interaction to children now that AI is in the picture. However, there is the risk that these kinds of toys can cause in a child, such as privacy, human detachment, and emotional shortcuts.
The fact that a toy can talk back sounds intriguing to a child because they are interacting with someone that is not a person. There is also pressure that comes with wanting these kinds of toys because everyone else has them. We’ve all been there! But we know that the toys kids are playing with now are far more technologically advanced. For instance, Mattel recently announced a partnership with OpenAI.
"We're pleased to work with Mattel as it moves to introduce thoughtful AI-powered experiences and products into its iconic brands, while also providing its employees the benefits of ChatGPT. With OpenAI, Mattel has access to an advanced set of AI capabilities alongside new tools to enable productivity, creativity, and company-wide transformation at scale,” Brad Lightcap, Chief Operating Officer at OpenAI, said in a statement.
This is a groundbreaking statement as it highlights the future of toys. Imagine having toys such as Barbies and Hot Wheels, having to interact with you like they know you, like your friend or family. Even with the advancement of technology, however, a greater reliance on AI can estrange relationships, especially between children and their parents. That being said, Christians must ask the following questions regarding the matter: How do we nurture God-given creativity in our children when technology pressures us to outsource imagination? What does it say about our hearts when we allow machines to shape our children’s emotional world?
Digital World Escapism
When technology consumes one’s life, it becomes difficult to enjoy everything else due to the dopamine rush that it brings. Technology, whether it's social media, video games, and now AI, provides such a high level of stimulation that it makes everything else in real life, such as going outside, reading, and spending time with friends and family, become dull and boring. The escapism that the virtual world provides takes away from living in the real world, which is dangerous because it is escaping into a world that is not real at all. The result is becoming isolated from the people in your life as you become estranged from your relationships with them. Overall, you become isolated from yourself as you neglect any form of self-care and ultimately from spending time with the Lord, as you have formed an idol in your life.
Cultivating God-given Creativity
So, how can we nurture God-given creativity? I would say to begin a hobby in order to learn something new. This can be seen in activities such as cooking, playing a sport, and learning to play an instrument. Maybe you want to learn a new language, write a book, or start a podcast. Just as the Bible says, nothing is impossible with God (Matthew 19:26), we must also understand that with God, the sky is the limit. He has given us the capacity to learn and the gift to develop skills and talents. We must especially understand that we are created in His image; thus, we have tremendous value in Him that cannot be earned or obtained in this world. It is priceless, it is eternal, for we serve an everlasting God who is more than willing to have a relationship with His people. So let us develop our hobbies to the glory of God, as it will not only help us grow but also help us manage our time wisely, especially when away from the screen or leaning on AI.
Self-Improvement Matters
In addition to hobbies, another way to inspire children is through self-improvement. This of course applies to children who are a bit older in terms of learning how to care for themselves while living at home. Although chores may come off as tedious and off-putting to a child who wants to play, it is imperative to teach them what it means to have responsibilities, whether it is making their bed, clearing their room, taking out the garbage, and so forth. Parents can also teach their children to cook by having them help alongside you, teaching them an easy recipe so that they can become accustomed quickly. Another way is through money management by giving them money as an allowance, but also teaching them how to save and to avoid spending it all. Teaching them responsibilities is a great indicator that nothing comes easy in this life and that one must work in order to move forward. Although I am not trying to sound rigid in saying that there should be all work and no play, we know that it becomes an issue when a child would rather be playing than fulfill their duties. The escape that AI provides can divert both children and adults from moving forward in life. There is so much that the digital world can provide that can draw us in and entrap us from the real world. The problem we see all the more in this generation is that we have short attention spans because of the instant gratification that technology brings.
Substituting Parental Care For Machines
Secondly, when we give our children’s emotional world over to machines, then we are falling short as parents. It is a parent's responsibility to take care of their children and ensure their well-being, not machines. Neglecting that responsibility demonstrates laziness, as you are letting technology do the work. You’re letting something that is not a human at all, without the capacity to develop authentic bonds or to somehow be able to parent for you. But the truth is, there is no shortcut to parenting. It is said that parenting changes a person’s life because their children become their top priority. There is a great deal of humility that comes with parenting because now you are having to raise a child.
Emotionally Unhealthy Children
Another danger is that the lack of parenting can result in emotionally unhealthy children. An emotionally healthy child is the result of an emotionally healthy family. Childhood is a crucial time as their experiences shape them when they grow up. Much of the emotional issues adults face stems from their childhood. Perhaps they did not have parents who were present or were abusive to them. Or perhaps that a child may have good parents, but there is the risk of neglect when they hand them over to machines, which lack any sort of emotional ties. It doesn’t matter how sentimental they sound or how cuddly these AI plushies are; they are not real. AI lacks the capacity to love like an actual human being, so it is concerning if a child begins to gravitate toward it for emotional support, which could happen if they are not receiving the emotional support from their own parents.
Failure To Surrender To God
I’d say the main concern here is that there is a failure to surrender to God, who has instituted the family. If we know that God Himself takes care of us as our Heavenly Father, then why give up the next generation to machines? For Christians, we know that it is essential to raise our children in the Lord, so we must be present with them. It is not wrong to use supplementary tools like books, videos, or AI to help us, but they should never replace parents. And for Christian parents, it is essential to surrender their families before God so that He would be honored. I am all in favor of having family worship at home, where parents can teach their children about God as well as read the Bible, pray, and worship together as a family. Not only will they draw closer to the Lord, but also to one another. The house becomes a place of fellowship and communion before God.
Life Is Short
As we close, let us consider the words that the Psalmist David says in Psalm 39:4, “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!”. Similarly, Moses makes a similar request in Psalm 90:12, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Friends, let us be reminded to number our days because life is short and tomorrow is not promised. Therefore, let us cherish every single moment with one another, especially our children. Don’t be the one to have to live in regret because of neglecting your loved ones. Don’t let machines take away the privilege that God has given you with your family. Rather, maximize your time with them to the glory of God. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Dmitri Maruta
