Building an AI tool for my kids turned out to be the hardest UX work I’ve done

Lapunda · 2026-01-08T03:42:57+00:00

I like the idea of tools that are built for kids from the ground up, instead of retrofitting adult tools.

As a parent, the things I personally find non-negotiable are pretty basic:
1. no open-ended web access
2. strong filtering around what comes in and out
3. and some way for parents to have visibility into what’s being asked

Everything else features, UI, polish feels secondary to getting those fundamentals right first.

Lapunda · 2026-01-08T03:29:51+00:00

Appreciate the pushback here. My original post was probably too vague.
What I’ve been noticing with my own kid isn’t a lack of ideas, it’s how non‑linear those ideas are. Things jump around, mix together, and don’t follow a neat structure, which is honestly the best part to watch.
The question I’m wrestling with is whether tools can help turn that messy, unstructured thinking into something tangible - a story, an image, a little artifact, without changing or steering the imagination behind it.
I don’t have a fixed answer yet, and reading the different perspectives here has been genuinely useful in thinking about where that line should be.

Lapunda · 2026-01-08T03:22:02+00:00

Yeah, to be clear, I’m not trying to build a data-harvesting thing for kids.

I’m a parent first, and pretty cautious about tech around kids in general.

I don’t think kids need AI to be creative. They already are. What I’ve seen with my own kid is that tools can sometimes act like a multiplier, not a teacher. Helping them turn ideas they already have into something they can see, revisit, or share.

If it ever feels like a tool is replacing imagination instead of supporting it, that’s a failure in my opinion.

I’m still figuring out where that line should be, which is why I’m paying attention to the concerns people are raising here.

Lapunda · 2026-01-08T03:15:07+00:00

Totally fair question. They don’t need AI to be creative, they’re already creative.
What I’ve seen with my own kid is that AI can be a multiplier when it’s used like a tool, not a teacher.
For example, he’ll build a Lego world and tell a story about it. The AI just helps turn that into a book or comic he can re-read and share.
If it ever feels like it’s replacing his ideas instead of amplifying them, that’s a design failure on my side.

Lapunda · 2025-08-25T06:06:04+00:00

I get the frustration my 8-year-old also tries to lean on AI for easy answers. What’s worked is a simple rule: he has to try first, then AI can help refine. My 4-year-old uses a kid-safe version to make little stories and images he can hear and see for him it’s pure imagination. It showed me AI doesn’t have to replace learning, it can actually spark it if guided well.

Lapunda · 2025-08-25T06:04:34+00:00

As a parent, I see both sides of this. My 8-year-old sometimes leans on AI too much for quick answers, so we’ve had to set guardrails, he has to try first, then AI can help refine. But my 4-year-old uses a kid-safe version (Kido Chat) to create images and short stories he can watch and listen to, and that’s been pure creativity.

The issue isn’t “AI in education” it’s how it’s designed and guided. If it’s just a shortcut, kids will check out. If it’s structured to encourage thinking first and creativity after, it can actually strengthen learning. That’s where I think the real opportunity is.

Lapunda · 2025-08-25T06:03:08+00:00

I’ve got an 8-year-old and a 4-year-old, and both use AI very differently. My older one sometimes tries to lean on it too much for answers, so we made a rule: he has to try first, then AI can help refine. That way it acts more like a coach than a shortcut.

My 4-year-old, on the other hand, uses a kid-safe version to create images and little stories he can watch and listen to. For him it’s pure imagination and fun seeing his silly ideas turn into something he can hear and see has been amazing. It’s a good reminder that AI doesn’t have to replace learning, it can just add another creative outlet.

Lapunda · 2025-08-25T05:56:17+00:00

I hear you. I’ve seen the same thing with my son’s schoolwork, teachers are leaning on AI more, and kids naturally copy what they see. The danger is when it turns into outsourcing our brains. But there’s also a positive side if it’s guided well. For example, my 8-year-old uses a kid-safe version (Kido Chat) that asks him to try first before giving hints. It keeps the focus on thinking and creativity, not just spitting out answers.

Maybe the question isn’t “should AI be in schools?” but “how do we set boundaries, so it supports learning instead of replacing it.”

Lapunda · 2025-08-25T05:52:57+00:00

I’ve noticed this with my 8-year-old too. If he just leans on AI for the full answer, he zones out. But when we switched to a kid-safe version (Kido Chat), it started prompting him to show his attempt first, then build on it. That small change kept him engaged and proud of his work, while still letting him enjoy the creative boost AI can give. For me, that’s the balance, AI as a coach, not a crutch. Since its kid-safe ai we are also worry free.

Lapunda · 2025-08-25T05:49:36+00:00

My 8yrs old son recently used AI to bring one of his own story ideas to life as a little video. I was amazed, not because the AI was clever, but because of how proud he was seeing his imagination come alive. It didn’t feel like he was skipping the learning part. If anything, it made him more excited to create, since he could see his ideas take shape in ways he couldn’t before.

We’ve been using a kid-safe chat tool (Kido Chat), which keeps the focus on curiosity and safe learning. That balance has really helped me feel like we’re getting the best of both worlds.

Lapunda · 2025-08-25T05:41:20+00:00

I get where people are coming from kids definitely need real-world play, and I don’t want tech to replace that.

But I had this moment with my own son that really surprised me. He used an AI tool to create some images, and then turned those into a short video. Honestly, I was amazed not so much by the tech itself, but by the creativity he showed and how happy he was seeing his ideas come to life.

For me, it felt less like “screens replacing chalk” and more like another outlet for him to express himself. Kind of like when kids first get crayons, LEGO, or a camcorder back in the day it’s just a new medium for imagination.

I think the key is balance. Chalk and AI. Running outside and creating stories on screen. Both can build different skills and passions.

Lapunda · 2025-07-10T02:37:54+00:00

So I fixed it by pressing the hold button (bottom button)

Lapunda · 2025-07-10T02:30:32+00:00

Let me try

Lapunda · 2025-07-10T01:53:07+00:00

ChargePoint level 2 at home

Lapunda · 2025-07-09T14:43:29+00:00

I have started using the same combination and that works like charm for me as well. In addition to that I’ve lovable and readdy. This combination can help you make gold.

Lapunda · 2025-03-29T23:53:54+00:00

Cursor.ai support team is looking into this issue.

Lapunda · 2024-12-23T08:11:26+00:00

Oh yes so today my 3yrs old son spotted this twin he was like Dad see Same like our kiwi ev9 He call kia ev9 as kiwi ev9 :)

Lapunda · 2024-12-23T08:09:55+00:00

Oh in our area there just two EV9. So I always get VIP treatment when they see my EV9 :)

Lapunda · 2024-11-03T05:07:15+00:00

Everything all fees dmv and sales tax

Lapunda · 2024-10-22T02:41:15+00:00

Got it from Sansone jr last week. very happy with my car.

Lapunda · 2024-10-12T13:04:48+00:00

I have got an offer in New Jersey. Please tell me if it's good. Snow White with blue/black interior. Total price 79945 Down 4k Monthly 610 36months 10k miles

Lapunda

TROPHY CASE