New York City bans AI for children.

AI is a very powerful tool.But should young children have unrestricted access to it? On September 2, 2026, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels announced a one-year moratorium on student-facing generative AI in public schools from pre-K (2-K) through eighth grade. And the reason stated was that:They believe children need human interaction, guidance from teachers, and the opportunity to develop their critical thinking skills rather than relying on AI to do the thinking for them. The policy also allows limited, supervised AI programmes for high school students.Now, I think this is a good move, and I believe more countries should consider similar measures. Not necessarily a complete ban on children ever interacting with AI, but proper restrictions on how and when they can use it. Because the dangers of AI could be just as significant as its advantages, especially when it comes to children. Of course, we can argue that this is the advancement of technology and that children should be introduced to it early. And honestly, there's some truth to that. AI is becoming an important part of our world. Children will eventually have to understand it, learn how to use it, and adapt to a future where it will be increasingly relevant. But have we also considered how much influence it could have on their development? Children are naturally inquisitive.They're at a stage where they're learning about themselves, the people around them, and the world they live in. They're constantly asking questions, forming opinions, and trying to make sense of things. Now, imagine introducing a tool that can answer almost any question they ask, generate information on practically any subject, and sometimes sound so convincing that they may not even question whether what it's saying is true. What happens when they start accepting everything AI tells them without learning to think critically for themselves?What happens when they turn to AI for answers to questions they should also be learning to navigate through real-life experiences, conversations, and guidance from trusted adults? And what happens when they encounter information they're not emotionally or mentally prepared to process? These are genuine concerns worth considering. AI can expose children to information that may be inappropriate for their age, provide misleading answers, or influence how they understand certain issues.And because children are still developing their ability to evaluate information, they may not always know when to question what they're being told. This is why I believe age-appropriate restrictions and proper supervision are necessary. We shouldn't be so carried away by technological advancement that we forget the importance of childhood itself.Children need room to explore, make mistakes, ask questions, interact with people, and develop their own understanding of the world. They need to learn how to think, not just where to find answers. And while AI can support that process, it shouldn't replace it.Personally, I think the goal should be to introduce children to AI at the right stage, in the right way, with the right guidance.Because preparing them for the future also means protecting their ability to think independently. And to you who typed that you're already up to 18 before you even clocked 18 just to register for certain things... Weldone😭 But seriously, what do you think?Do you think restricting children's access to AI is a valid move, or should they be allowed to explore it freely from an early age? I'd love to hear your thoughts.<img src="/media/inline_insight_image/1003104824.jpg"/>

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