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years. Technology can’t stop our attachment, anger and ethical implications of technology, fostering a sense
ignorance. We still must do the transformative work. of responsibility in their digital interactions. Promote
Digital teachings may impart Dharma knowledge, balance by setting boundaries around screen time and
however connecting with an actual teacher builds a encouraging offline activities that develop social skills
dynamic relationship of trust where a teacher can guide and emotional intelligence. Finally, model healthy tech
us in becoming a kinder, wiser, and more ethical person habits yourself, demonstrating mindfulness in how you
with a correct understanding of the Buddha’s teaching. engage with technology. By nurturing a thoughtful and
Afflictions are sneaky; we can easily fool ourselves into informed approach, we can help young people navigate
thinking we’re more spiritually evolved than we are, the complexities of the digital world more effectively.
especially if we spend more time with screens than with
living beings. Following a qualified teacher over time, Tenzin Tsepal: Recent US congressional hearings
we come to appreciate and value their knowledge and highlighted how technology can harm young people,
practice and the personal training and correction they and inspired executives of popular social apps to
provide to us. provide much needed resources, articles and advice
for parents on user safety. Parents need to educate
What advice would you offer to parents and themselves on how various technologies impact their
educators on teaching children and teenagers to kids and take wise actions to reduce harm.
engage with artificial intelligence and digital life?

The most potent way any parent influences their child
Aggacitta: Parents and educators should first of all learn is through being a good role model. Kids are extremely
and practice mindfulness and ethical awareness when observant! Through example, parents can demonstrate
engaging with AI and digital life. Then they can set an good ethical behavior and openly discuss important
example for youngsters to emulate. Besides this they issues with their teens, like the value of honesty and not
can also follow these suggestions by ChatGpt: plagiarizing homework with AI.

• Encourage balanced usage, ensuring technology Parents can create family guidelines about good digital

doesn’t overshadow physical, emotional, and hygiene—such as keeping screens in common areas
spiritual well-being. of your house, being screen-free during meals and
• Foster critical thinking to discern biases and after a certain time each night. Engage your children
misinformation, and apply the Five Precepts in meaningful conversation and fun activities, physical
to online interactions, promoting truthfulness, exercise, and meditation.
respect, and non-harm.
• Highlight impermanence to reduce attachment to How do you see Buddhist teachings evolving

digital trends, and model healthy tech habits. or adapting in response to the challenges and
• Encourage AI use for positive purposes, such as opportunities presented by digital technology?

education and compassion, while emphasizing the
importance of human connection and ethical values. Aggacitta: The opportunities are enormous, including
• Balance innovation with mindfulness to nurture the following.
wise, compassionate digital citizens.
• Global outreach to spread the teachings can be

Ming Yi: To guide children and teenagers in engaging easily available.
with artificial intelligence and digital life, parents and • Comprehensive and speedy research can be
educators should emphasize critical thinking and carried out by meditator-scholars to uncover
digital literacy. Teach them to question the sources of the original teachings hidden by exegetical
information and understand the algorithms behind interpretations which are sometimes
AI tools. Encourage open discussions about the contradictory to canonical literature.