If you do anything outside the norm, you’ll face pushback from teachers and parents. Period.
It’s not because they are out to get you. It’s because they care about you.
They might worry about you spending too much time or money on tech.
They might worry you are cheating.
They may worry it’s negatively impacting your health and social life.
And uncontrolled they are good to worry. In a lot of instances they could be right on
This section will help you understand their doubts, highlight the upsides of going another way, and give you a game plan to negotiate with skeptics and supporters alike.
You must understand their concerns
Let’s break down the thinking:
Addressing a teachers concerns:
- “You’ll lean on AI instead of thinking for yourself”
- Show that AI is a helper, not a crutch.
- Use it to spark ideas or clarify tough topics, but the hard work is still yours.
- “You could cheat with AI.”
- Prove you’re playing fair.
- Say you follow school rules, credit AI when used, and treat it like any other resource.
- Point out where the world is going, and that your skills are superior to your peers, and potentially your teacher.
- Judge me on the results of my work - not my process.
- “AI might give you wrong info.”
What you could say in response:
Example: “I use AI to brainstorm project ideas, but the research and arguements I build myself, and I iterate to the answer.”
What you could say in response:
Example: “My teacher’s cool with AI for research as long as I cite it and write my own answers.”
What you could say in response:
Yes, used improperly it’s not perfect.
But with the latest tools you can get it to reference its material and search the web from trusted sites.
Show them such references, and have copies at the ready to show you’ve also reviewed it at the source.
Example: “I use AI to frame the sources and facts, but I always read them at the source for verifcation.”
Addressing a parents concern:
- “Too much screen time is bad for you.”
- I’m exercising 90 minutes a day.
- I spend time with the family with no screen.
- Show them you have balance.
- Show them that you are CREATING while on the computer, and not just consuming.
- “What about your privacy online?”
- Frame how you are careful.
- Use psuedonymes.
- Avoid sharing any personal information.
- Show a strong understanding of cyber protections.
- “Tech might mess with your social skills.”
- Highlight examples of how tech connects you.
- Show how you organise a social life with it.
- Show how you network and add value to others using tech.
What you could say in response:
Example: “Share your routine, with facts and show them the diversity in your day” and stick to it. They’ll feel more comfortable if they know the total picture. Failing that, just get up 3 hours before they do. To do that, go to bed early as good discipline. They can’t say you’re not getting good sleep then.
What you could say in response:
Example: “I use secure apps like Google Docs and never post private information online, and I use two factor authentication etc”
What you could say in response:
Example: “I collaborate online with classmates but also chat with friends at lunch.”
Why AI and digital tools are a gamechanger for your learning and future if used correctly
Now flip the pursuasion filter:
- Tech saves you time:
- It helps you to automate boring stuff like organising and taking notes.
- It helps you find the right information faster.
- It gives you tools to more effectively communicate.
- You can communicate freely with those that can give you help.
- Knowledge on tap:
- Explain that AI and the internet can find you information, write you summaries, translate things, and organise information for you.
- Highlight how much more fun working this way is.
- Future-proof skills:
- Tech know-how is a must in today’s world, and you’re getting ahead.
- Custom learning:
- AI tweaks lessons to fit how you learn best.
- Sparks of creativity:
- AI sparks fresh ideas for projects or problems - and helps you with projects.
Example: “AI sorts my study plan, leaving me more time to practice math. Switch the negatives into a positive frame for your parents”
Example: “AI explained a chemistry term in seconds when I was stuck.”
Example: “Learning AI now preps me for jobs that don’t even exist yet. Use AI to show them the evidence of that”
Example: “I can use AI to rapidly move through my homework materials and it helps me tremendously.”
Example: “AI suggested a cool twist for my art project that wowed my teacher.”
And with all of the above, you can be proactive. Perhaps work out how you can show them cool things you’re doing. They won’t support what they don’t understand. Perhaps you need to teach them.
Psychological tips to win them over
Here’s how to talk to skeptics and get them on your side:
- Start with empathy
- Share your success with them
- Demonstrate you are responsible
- Don’t immediately push back if they don’t come along.
Tell them you understand their concern.
Example: “I see why screen time’s a concern, and I want to use tech smartly.”
Share how AI makes you better, not just faster. Use real examples.
Example: “AI helped me ace my science notes, but I still did the experiments.”
Demonstrate you use it right—and walk them through your process.
Example: “I’ll walk you through how I use AI to double-check my work.”
Continue listening, and tweak your approach.
Know when to tactically retreat and try for another day.
You will not win on the path to escalation.
Example: “You’re right about late-night tech—I’ll cut off at 9 PM.”
It really doesn’t matter what you say though
Sometimes skeptism runs deep.
You may at a point have to fight.
You’re not just using tech. You’re building something.
There is a point where you just have to tell adults to get stuffed.
Keep pushing, stay smart, and let the world catch up.