Kids Should *Not* Use Chatbots! (You Should Be Wary, Too…)

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

With all the recent discussion of the potential catastrophic impacts AI might cause in the future, we’re losing track of the significant harms it is already causing right now. In this episode, Cal goes deep into a serious and tragic topic that he recently learned about in a panel discussion about children and technology. He has an urgent warning for parents that has implications for all of us as well.

Below are the questions covered in today’s episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo

Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia

(0:00) Kids should not use Chatbots

(39:52) What is Cal’s opinion of a recent NY Times article about dumb phones?

(45:04) How should I apply Slow Productivity when my company rewards quick email turnaround?

(51:00) What happens when the craftsman mindset doesn’t yield results?

(56:30) Cal’s reaction to Ezra Klein’s article on AI

(1:10:51) What Cal is up to

Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow

Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/09/19/nx-s1-5545749/ai-chatbots-safety-openai-meta-characterai-teens-suicide

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3xgwyywe4o

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/parents-allege-harmful-character-ai-chatbot-content-60-minutes/

https://www.wwnytv.com/2026/04/08/alleged-florida-state-shooter-used-chatgpt-plan-attack-victims-attorneys-claim/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12967755/

https://parentstogetheraction.org/character-ai/

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/16/opinion/dumbphone-smartphone-friendship.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/opinion/ai-ban-self-improvement-recursive-models.html?eafs_enabled=false

Thanks to our Sponsors:

https://www.masterclass.com/deep

https://www.calderalab.com/deep

https://www.vanta.com/deepquestions

https://www.pipedrive.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kids Should *Not* Use Chatbots! (You Should Be Wary, Too…)

Download my FREE Deep Life Guide HERE: https://bit.ly/3QBIcug

Link to submit questions: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo

Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia

Below are the questions covered in today’s episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.