Keynote Presentation
The World We Grew Up In No Longer Exists… and AI Just Hit Fast-Forward
Details
Do you remember when the phone was attached to the wall and had a leash? We cannot raise our children the way our parents raised us. That world no longer exists.
Kids today are immersed in tweets, snaps, likes, shares, clicks, swipes, and endless filtered selfies. They watch other people play Minecraft and Madden on YouTube, duck-lip face-swap with their bestie on Snapchat, and post their unboxing video on Instagram of the highly anticipated Squishmallow release.
And now—just to keep us all on our toes—AI has entered the chat. Kids can generate art in seconds, create videos that look real but aren’t, ask chatbots for advice, bring animated characters to life, and use tools our parents couldn’t even imagine. For this generation, AI isn’t “the future”… it’s Tuesday.
But with the good can come the bad. Technology and AI can also expose youth to a digital world that can be graphic, cruel, misunderstood, concerning, and emotionally damaging for adolescent development. It can blur reality, amplify anxiety, and introduce risks that didn’t exist even five years ago.
But there is GOOD NEWS!!!!!!!
We adults — yes, that’s us — must be the superhero for change when it comes to leading our children through the digital rollercoaster we all live in. Join Ryan in putting on your superhero uniform through this keynote and start your extraordinary life as a catalyst for change in a world where “that app does what?” and “why would you want my phone to do that?” have now been joined by “wait… AI can really do THAT?”
Note: this training doesn’t fulfill NBCC Credit Hours.
Learning Goals
• Participants will learn about apps they didn't know existed
(Seriously… why in the world would someone make an app that does that? And now AI can help someone make ten more by next week.)
• Participants will be motivated to engage in the digital world with their youth or students
(But I don't wanna… yes, I hear you. Unfortunately, AI won’t parent your kids for you.)
• Participants will learn where to find the best resources to continue their learning journey
(Ok, what do I do after the keynote, funny guy? Good news: AI didn’t replace the resources—it just added a million more.)
• Participants may be inspired to download Snapchat and take a filtered selfie before the end of the presentation
(Look at my bunny ears! And no, that’s not an AI deepfake. Probably.)
• Participants will get a beginner-friendly understanding of how AI is now woven into kids’ daily digital lives
(Your teens already use AI like it’s a kitchen appliance—quick, easy, always on.)
• Participants will gain confidence in talking to kids about AI-generated content
(“Wait… is this real?” → The new modern parenting dilemma.)
• Participants are encouraged not to ground their own children as a result of what they learned during the keynote
(This one is also not guaranteed. Especially once AI enters the conversation.)
Learning Topics
- How being an adult has changed as a result of the smartphone
(it’s all Steve Jobs’ fault… and now AI is finishing what he started) - Understanding current youth culture
(kids are weird these days… and AI is giving them superpowers we never had) - How AI is shaping the way kids communicate, create, learn, and occasionally get into trouble
(I asked AI to explain it and even that scared me) - AI-generated content and the rise of “Is this even real?” moments
(back in my day, we only had to worry about Photoshop… now your kid can make a fake video of the dog driving the car) - How AI can influence behavior, decision-making, and emotional development
(because teens now have a digital sidekick in their pocket—24/7, unlicensed, and way too confident)
- How to start the conversation
(you mean I have to talk to them about technology and AI? Yes… yes you do) - Prevention steps
(is this like eating healthy? Kind of—except AI keeps inventing new desserts) - Using a Technology Contract
(this sounds technical… don’t worry, no coding required, and AI won’t grade you) - Taking a social media pledge
(this one is easier—think of it as “I agree not to let the internet raise me”) - How to set expectations
(but do I have to??? they might argue… and AI will absolutely not back you up on this) - When to monitor a device
(freebie for the day: ALWAYS… especially now that AI can hide things better than your teenager) - Access to online resources
(basically Ryan’s website… plus a few AI tools that won’t make your head explode) - Creating a digitally responsible youth
(this is the goal; you can do it; I believe in you… and AI can help—but you’re still in charge)
Learn More About Ryan & Shape The Sky
Shape the Sky’s Founder, Ryan Klingensmith, is a parent and licensed counselor who works directly with high school and college students. Through this work, he gains first-hand insight into how social media and emerging technologies impact youth and young adults’ mental health. His expertise and experience allow Shape the Sky to provide relevant, reliable, and up-to-date information for families and professionals.
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Do you have questions about our keynote presentations or other Shape the Sky training sessions? If so, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re readily available to answer any questions.