Raising Kids in the Age of Identic AI: What Parents Need to Know

Raising Kids in the Age of Identic AI: What Parents Need to Know

Author: Lianne Castelino December 20, 2025 Duration: 34:39

As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes the world our children are growing up in, many parents are left wondering: What does this mean for my child’s identity, values, and future?

In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with global technology thought leader and author Don Tapscott to explore the rise of identic AI and why understanding it is no longer optional for parents.

Drawing from his latest book, You to the Power of Two: Redefining Human Potential in the Age of Identic AI, Tapscott explains how AI is evolving from a tool we use into an intelligent extension of who we are — and what that means for families.

Together, they unpack how technology can shape children’s judgment, emotional health, and sense of self, why parents must move beyond fear toward informed engagement, and how creating a family “social contract” around technology can strengthen trust and communication. From digital identity and values to screen boundaries and critical thinking, this conversation offers parents practical insight and reassurance as they raise children in a powerful new digital era.

Takeaways:

  • The rise of identic AI brings significant implications for how children navigate their identities online, emphasizing the need for parental guidance.
  • As technology advances, parents must prioritize open communication and establish social contracts to ensure responsible device usage among their children.
  • Understanding hormonal changes and their effects on tweens and teens is crucial for maintaining their emotional and mental health amidst social media pressures.
  • It's essential for parents to teach their children about consent and healthy relationships, especially in the context of digital interactions and social media.
  • Navigating the complexities of bullying in the digital age requires a proactive approach to emotional health and effective communication with kids.
  • Fostering independence in children is vital, yet it must be balanced with discipline and guidance in their engagement with technology.

Links referenced in this episode:


Companies mentioned in this episode:

  • Blockchain Research Institute


Raising children in this era comes with a unique set of questions, and Where Parents Talk: Evidence-based Expert Advice on Raising Kids Today is here to offer clarity, not just opinions. Hosted by award-winning journalist and mother Lianne Castelino, this weekly conversation moves beyond anecdotal advice to explore the science and research behind modern parenting. Each episode feels like a thoughtful discussion with a knowledgeable friend, one who brings in leading experts and thinkers to tackle the real issues families face. You’ll hear practical strategies for navigating everything from the emotional turbulence of adolescence to building a foundation of healthy communication from a young age. The focus is on holistic development-addressing the emotional, mental, and physical well-being of both kids and their parents. Lianne’s skill as an interviewer helps distill complex topics into actionable insights, making this podcast a reliable resource for anyone looking to ground their parenting choices in evidence and shared experience. It’s a space where the noise of conflicting advice fades, replaced by informed conversations that empower you to find your own path through the joys and challenges of family life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Where Parents Talk: Evidence-based Expert Advice on Raising Kids Today
Podcast Episodes
Rethinking Mental Health Diagnoses in Children with Dr. Sami Timimi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:18
In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Sami Timimi, psychiatrist and author of Searching for Normal. The conversation examines the current…
Digital Literacy in the Age of AI and Misinformation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:02
How can parents teach kids to think critically, tell truth from falsehood, and navigate an online world filled with AI-generated content and misinformation?In this episode of Where Parents Talk, host Lianne Castelino spe…
What Teens Wish Their Parents Knew: Creating Open Dialogues [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:22
In this episode of theWhere Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to Michael Chiasson — speaker, musician, writer, and author of Things We Wish Our Parents Knew. Drawing on 20+ years of speaking to youth acr…
The Real Talk: How to Prepare Your Young Adult for Life's Challenges [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:38
What should parents really be telling their kids before they leave the nest? In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to writer and mom of three, Joanne McHugh, creator of the newsl…
Rethinking Gifted Education: The Role of AI, Mastery, and Life Skills [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:24
In this episode of Where Parents Talk, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Pamela Hobart — philosopher coach, writer, mother of four, and gifted education advocate. Hobart shares her journey from academia to coaching, and…
Unlocking Teen Potential: Self-Regulation as a Superpower [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:39
Self-regulation is a superpower that can transform a teen’s emotional, social, and academic life. In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to psychologist and first-time author Dr.…
The Hidden Risks of Sports Betting and Gambling Ads on Youth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:21
In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Dr. Shawn Kelly, pediatrician, adolescent addictions specialist, and father of two. Dr. Kelly shares why he co-authored a Canadian Medi…
The Empty Nest: Coping Strategies When Your Kids Leave Home [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:11
When children leave home, parents often face a powerful mix of emotions—grief, pride, uncertainty, and even freedom. In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, licensed therapist, TEDx speaker, author, and mom Mo…