06/30/25
Amelia and I just saw Megan 2.0 over the weekend, and I was surprised at how good it was.
Funny, good story-telling, relevant; just overall a great movie.
So much of the movie points to the risks of AI, as well as the damage devices can do to our children if left unchecked.
At times, it can feel like a hopeless battle because the world is moving in this direction, whether we like it or not, and it seems impossible to stop it.
So what can we do about it?
I do think education is an important component to all of this.
Understanding the actual effects is helpful not only to reinforce it for yourself but also so our children understand.
For example, a 2025 study involving 4,300 U.S. children concluded that 49% of children aged 9-10 show strong phone addiction, resulting in 2–3× higher risk of suicidal ideation or behavior.
That’s insane.
That’s outrageous.
In the movie, she relates cell phone use to cocaine, and says, “You wouldn’t give your child cocaine, would you?”
Look, I know it’s hard.
I know that all the kids want to do is be on phones to see what they’re friends are doing, to get on social media, to watch videos, etc.
But there’s no denying the fact that it’s harmful.
On the surface, seeing a kid doomscrolling doesn’t have the same effect as seeing a kid do drugs…
But it’s resulting in the same chemical reaction within their brains.
Remind yourself of that.
Remind THEM of that.
Educate them so that they can understand the negative repercussions.
Technology is transforming our world, and it’s not going away.
What we need are better safeguards to take a stand and be the guardians for our children’s brains.
And while I’m mostly writing about the effects this has on children, better believe it has the same effect on you.
So what’s the best thing you can do?
Lead by example.
Sure, leverage your devices in a way that supports your work, your life, and your relationships.
Tap into AI to help you be more efficient.
But recognize that line of when you’re controlling your devices, and when they start controlling you.
Be aware of when you’ve crossed the threshold of using technology, to where technology is using you.
It’s a tool, that’s it.
It shouldn’t run your life.
You shouldn’t be spending most of your day in a hamster wheel of your devices.
Technology should be supporting a life of real human connection…
Not creating more isolation and weakening human connection.
The direction this ends up going in is dependent on how each of us chooses to use this technology.
I sincerely hope all of us choose human connection.
Rooting for you,
Jay (encouraging you to be the guardian for your mind and your children’s minds)
