Clare Morell on A Humane Way of Life: The Research Behind Home Tech Decisions

A rapid rollout of integrated AI into technology we use everyday brings with it new considerations for our tech policies at home. At this year's Heights Parents Conference on "AI and Our Sons: Optimism in Uncharted Waters," author and public policy researcher Clare Morell shared the latest news and research to inform our digital decisions at home. She points out that, increasingly, the vision we as parents have for our children is in direct competition with the vision big tech has for them. But an active and optimistic posture can help us guide our families toward a more humane way of life. Chapters: 00:04:18 The lay of the digital land 00:08:38 Neuroscience of screens 00:18:56 The myth of parental controls 00:23:22 AI enters the chat 00:32:40 Maturity required to operate 00:35:09 Forming our children: parents and tech companies in competition 00:37:48 Digital detox for your family 00:41:29 A humane way of life: F.E.A.S.T. 00:43:59 Educating children on the harms 00:46:32 Adopting smartphone alternatives 00:48:11 Screen rules and accountability at home 00:50:58 Trading screens for responsibility 00:53:06 Reclaiming human flourishing Links: The Tech Exit: A Practical Guide to Freeing Kids and Teens from Smartphones by Clare Morell The Tech Exit Supplementary Resources by Clare Morell Preserving Our Humanity, Clare Morell's Substack Meta's 'Digital Companions' Will Talk Sex with Users—Even Children, WSJ, April 26, 2025 Meta's AI Rules Let Bots Hold 'Sensual' Chats with Children, Reuters, August 14, 2025 AI Tutors for Kids Gave Fentanyl Recipes and Dangerous Diet Advice, Forbes, May 12, 2025 Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt in Essay Writing, MIT Media Lab, June 10, 2025 Sexting with Gemini, The Atlantic, July 14, 2025 The Social Dilemma, ages 12+, docudrama explaining tech company motivations, 2020 Also on the Forum: The Tech Exit: How Smartphones Undermine Our Parenting—and How to Reverse Course featuring Clare Morell