# 398 What Moms Must Know About AI Interview with Jaclyn Kilani
Is your teen using AI in ways you don’t even know about? Artificial 
intelligence is becoming part of nearly every digital tool our kids use, from homework apps to search engines to AI companions. While AI offers exciting opportunities, it also raises serious concerns about privacy, learning, and emotional well-being. How can moms protect their teens without creating fear or shutting down conversations?
In this episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms with Teens, Colleen O’Grady talks with Jaclyn Kilani, co-founder and CEO of SafeMinds and a digital safety specialist, about helping tweens and teens navigate AI safely and responsibly. Jaclyn explains why banning AI altogether isn’t realistic and why parents need to become curious, informed guides. She shares practical questions moms can ask to open conversations about AI, protect their teens’ privacy, and establish healthy boundaries around technology.
Jaclyn also addresses two growing concerns: teens relying on AI to complete schoolwork instead of developing critical thinking skills, and teens turning to AI companions for emotional support and relationships. She offers a powerful strategy for using AI as a learning tool: ask for the smallest helpful hint rather than the answer. Most importantly, she reminds moms that AI should never replace meaningful human relationships. By modeling responsible AI use and keeping communication open, parents can help their teens embrace the benefits of technology without sacrificing their independence, learning, or human connection.
Three Key Takeaways
1. Lead with curiosity, not fear. Ask your teen how they and their friends are using AI, what they find helpful, and whether they’ve noticed AI getting things wrong. Open, nonjudgmental conversations create opportunities to teach privacy, safety, and responsible use.
2. Teach your teen to use AI without letting it do the thinking. Encourage your teen to try assignments independently before asking AI for help. Teach them to request a small hint instead of an answer so they develop confidence, critical thinking, and genuine learning.
3. Keep human relationships at the center. AI may sound compassionate and understanding, but it cannot replace genuine human connection. Encourage your teen to bring emotional struggles, friendship problems, and relationship questions to trusted people rather than relying on AI companions.
About Jaclyn Kilani
Jaclyn Kilani is the co-founder and CEO of SafeMinds and a digital safety specialist focused on helping families navigate artificial intelligence safely and ethically. As a mother of two, she understands the challenges parents face in a rapidly changing digital world. Through SafeMinds AI Institute, she provides education, workshops, and practical tools to help parents and educators teach children responsible AI use while protecting their privacy, learning, and emotional well-being.
Learn more at: https://safeminds.ai/institute
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safemindsai.institute/