Sharpened PPPPencils (Four Ps #243)
The "Back-to-School" Edition: HomeworkGPT, Bouncing Forward from Setbacks, Balancing Screentime, and "Kids for Kamala" this Fall
Ready to go back to school?
And I don't mean taking adult education classes at your local elementary school or getting your MBA (which, let's be honest, isn't quite the same as real school).
Instead, welcome to the annual "Back to School Blowout Bonanza Extravaganza" edition!
Yes, I know some kids have already gone back to school a week or two ago, but here in New York, our kids don't go back until after Labor Day—which means two more full weeks of summer!
Either way, put on your best outfit, sharpen those pencils, and get ready to learn something new.
(Or maybe even FOUR new things!)
THE PRACTICAL: The Year of HomeworkGPT
Last school year was just the beginning, with questions about AI-powered tools helping students complete assignments occasionally popping up. This year, I fully expect the proliferation and adoption of artificial intelligence software to challenge school norms, raising questions about ChatGPT assistance with homework, required disclosures, and accusations of plagiarism. And I'm here for it!
As the new school year begins, I’m making a bold decision: I'm going to encourage my 13-year-old and rising 5th grader to use ChatGPT as a homework helper. Think of it as the modern-day equivalent of the trusty TI-84 calculator, but with far more versatility.
Personally, I’ve become a more advanced user of several generative AI tools. Without exaggeration, I just tallied 175 uses of ChatGPT in the past 10 days (including all of the images used in this post, but none of the text!). As the technology improves, I want my kids to be just as proficient. The world is rapidly changing, and if my kids don’t learn how to harness the power of generative AI now, they’ll be playing catch-up later.
But this isn’t just a free-for-all with ChatGPT at the helm. With great power comes great responsibility, and I’m all about setting smart guardrails to ensure that while they’re leveraging AI, they’re also building the critical thinking and creativity that no bot can replace.
Why I’m All In on ChatGPT
The benefits of using AI tools like ChatGPT are undeniable. Whether it's breaking down complex math problems or exploring creative writing ideas, ChatGPT can be an incredible educational resource. My kids can ask it anything from “What’s the deal with photosynthesis?” to “Can you create a story where a dinosaur learns to code?” It’s a fantastic way to boost learning and even make it fun.
Plus, as AI becomes increasingly integrated into workplaces, getting comfortable with these tools early on gives my kids a serious head start. Knowing how to effectively interact with AI will be as essential as knowing how to use a computer, and I want them to be ready.
Guardrails: Setting the Stage for Responsible AI Use
Of course, I’m aware of the risks—over-reliance on AI, privacy concerns, and the temptation to cut corners by letting ChatGPT do the heavy lifting. So, here’s my plan:
Supervised Sessions: Initially, I’ll sit with them as they explore ChatGPT, ensuring they understand that it’s a tool to aid their learning, not a crutch.
Critical Thinking Checkpoints: I’ll encourage them to verify the information they get and think critically about what they’re reading. This means cross-referencing ChatGPT’s responses with other reliable sources and using AI to generate ideas, not final answers.
Privacy Awareness: We’ll have ongoing discussions about the importance of not sharing personal information online, even with AI.
Creativity First: Before they ask ChatGPT to brainstorm ideas or solve problems, they’ll need to try it themselves. ChatGPT can then serve as a sounding board for refining their thoughts, not replacing them.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
Teachers and professors aren’t dumb. They know this is happening, but struggle to keep up with the CheatGPTers. Some schools have implemented AI detection software, but these tools have proven unreliable, often leading to false accusations of cheating, especially among non-native English speakers.
To address this, Grammarly is introducing Authorship, a new tool designed to accurately trace the origin of document components, offering students protection against wrongful accusations by providing detailed content-provenance reports. Take that, teachers!
At the end of the day, I’m embracing ChatGPT as the ultimate homework sidekick for my kids—but with clear boundaries. And if nothing else, they can use the GPT I guide for spelling and grammar checks to ensure they never get dinged for a typo or spelling mistake again.
Because at the end of the day (or as they call it, "after school"), they’re learning new technology and prompt craft to leverage AI as a powerful tool in their educational journey.
THE PERSONAL: Learning Resilience and Bouncing Forward
The first time I ever got knocked down was by another kid in school.
A boy with serious behavioral issues decided to randomly sucker-push me from behind on the playground one day during recess in 4th grade. I fell down, dazed, and sat there on the ground, more confused than hurt. (I actually recall being more dizzy than injured.)
Even though I'd done nothing to provoke him, dozens of other kids saw it happen, and I remember just wanting to slink away and hide. My pants were dirty and wet, and it looked like I had soiled myself. I was more embarrassed than anything.
In what felt like a lifetime, but was probably just a few seconds, another boy, who I wasn't really friends with, did one of the most generous things ever: He gave me his jacket to wrap around my waist and hide my dirty sweatpants. I bounced back up and wore that jacket around my waist for the rest of the day.
Now, more than three decades later, that boy, whose act of kindness saved me in many ways, is one of my best friends.
Have you ever been knocked down so hard by life that getting back up seemed almost impossible? It happens to all of us—whether it’s a career derailment, personal loss, or an unexpected twist in the road. But what if every setback wasn’t just a pitfall but a pivotal point for growth?
What if, instead of seeing these moments as the end of the road, we saw them as the beginning of a new journey?
This is the essence of "bouncing back"—a process that turns adversity into a launchpad for success and personal fulfillment. I think about setbacks and bounce-backs a lot and have talked about my own personal experience in management situations with employees.
Why? Because by understanding and navigating through setbacks, you can unlock hidden potential and use these challenging moments as stepping stones toward a richer, more resilient life.
Step 1: "Establish" – Recognize the Setback
The first step in overcoming any setback is acknowledging its presence. You can’t tackle what you don’t recognize. But it’s not just about spotting the issue; it’s about precisely identifying and naming it. Take the term “languishing” that organizational psychologist and UPenn professor Adam Grant coined during the pandemic.
It gave people a way to articulate their feelings of stagnation and malaise, offering a foundation to build upon and move forward.
Step 2: "Embrace" – Face Emotions Head-On
The next phase is often the hardest: embracing the emotional weight of the setback. Our instinct is to push away discomfort, but true resilience is born from confronting these emotions head-on. In the age of positive psychology, there’s been a dangerous drift toward toxic positivity—the belief that we must always be upbeat and optimistic.
But real growth doesn’t come from slapping a smile on every situation. It comes from allowing yourself to feel, process, and ultimately, learn from your emotions.
Step 3: "Explore" – Seek New Possibilities
With the emotional groundwork laid, it’s time to explore new paths. This phase is all about reassessing your options and capabilities and fostering a mindset of curiosity. Like a baby learning to walk, each fall is a step toward mastery.
Curiosity really plays a crucial role in this phase. By reigniting the passions and interests of your youth, you can turn setbacks into starting points for personal discovery and growth.
Step 4: "Emerge" – Take Action and Move Forward
With insights and renewed energy, it’s time to emerge and take actionable steps toward your new goals. The secret to success isn’t in giant leaps but in small, manageable steps that gradually lead you toward your vision. This “Have, Do, Be” framework helps you set realistic goals and create a clear path forward.
I guess in the end, we're not really bouncing back, but bouncing forward. So the next time you fall down in the dirt and it looks like you’ve soiled yourself, don’t just survive it; use it as a stepping stone to thrive.
THE PROFESSIONAL: Preparing for the Future
I can't remember at what age school counselors start talking to students about career considerations or asking them what they want to do with their lives.
As my son prepares to enter his last year of middle school, we've started discussing this topic with a bit more focus. Not that it really matters, and not that he can't change his mind.
This summer, our conversations have been much more pragmatic. His responses have included, "Maybe I'll become an engineer who designs the next generation of electric cars," or "What does it take to own a successful auto repair shop?" or “WTF is demure?”
When I asked him two or three years ago, his answer was "YouTuber." Perhaps he now realizes the futility of that dream, though a (fleeting) White House conference with creators may beg differ.
The latest "100 Coolest Brands Report" from insights firm Beano Brain reveals that YouTube has overtaken Netflix to become the most popular brand among kids aged 7 to 14. This shift highlights YouTube's growing influence and appeal within the younger demographic, dethroning Netflix, which previously held the top spot.
Interestingly, the report indicates a decline in the popularity of social media apps among kids, with all major platforms slipping in the rankings compared to the previous year. This suggests a changing landscape in how younger audiences engage with digital platforms, with YouTube now leading the way as the go-to brand for entertainment and content consumption among kids.
However, this doesn't mean overall screen time is down. In fact, it may indicate more cannibalization among entertainment-related brands, from Disney+ to YouTube to TikTok. And it doesn't appear to be slowing down, if the generation just above them has anything to say about it.
A recent study by Stanford's Deliberative Democracy Lab reveals that over 60% of Gen Z voters oppose requiring kids under 16 to obtain parental consent to use social media. This resistance reflects a strong preference among young voters for maintaining autonomy over their online activities.
In what I'd actually label a troubling stat, more than 85% of respondents believe there should be no time limits on when they can receive social media notifications, regardless of the time of day, including during school hours or at night.
While the study focused on consent and notification limits, it leaves questions about their views on screen time unanswered—though it’s likely they would resist those limitations as well (though check out this detrimental data nugget from the aforementioned Profressor Grant).
So as we head back to school, prepare for the battles around screen time versus focus time to intensify, reflecting a widening generational divide in attitudes toward social media regulation, with young people favoring fewer restrictions and greater freedom in their digital interactions.
THE POLITICAL: Welcome to the "Kids' Election"
When it comes to Gen Z voters, one potential bright spot and byproduct of increased digital engagement is a growing interest in the upcoming presidential election.
Yes, misinformation is rampant
Yes, the algorithms from Chinese-owned TikTok and billionaire-owned Twitter are problematic, programmatic propaganda machines.
But overall, increased engagement is still a positive development.
We often hear the phrase "the most important election of our lifetime" with increasing frequency, but it’s especially true for voters aged 18-30. They will live longer and feel the impact of the next four years more acutely over their lifetimes.
The 2024 presidential election is proving to be a battleground like no other, with younger voters and social media wielding unprecedented influence. This dynamic is reshaping how candidates connect with the electorate and how campaigns are being run. If there’s one thing clear from this election cycle, it’s that the digital natives of Gen Z aren’t just participating—they’re leading the charge.
Take Harris's running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, for instance. His 23-year-old daughter, Hope, has become a secret weapon in making him a hit among younger voters. She’s not just helping her dad reach Gen Z; she’s embodying the shift where political clout is now often determined by TikTok trends and Instagram followers rather than traditional stump speeches. Hope’s role exemplifies how campaigns are increasingly dependent on voices that resonate with the social media generation.
Meanwhile, Kamala Harris's campaign has leaned heavily into this digital-first approach, with over 175 staffers dedicated to online mobilization. Harris's team knows the stakes—being “too online” is a calculated risk they’re willing to take. The Vice President’s strategy involves not just posting content but engaging in real-time with digital creators and influencers, ensuring that her campaign stays relevant and on the pulse of the latest trends.
The emergence of a “Gen Z rapid response team” highlights just how important it is to react instantly to the shifting sands of online discourse. However, this approach isn’t without its pitfalls.
Elections are increasingly driven by "vibes," a term that perfectly captures the transient nature of online popularity. As David Hogg, a prominent Gen Z activist, pointed out, mood of the internet can change in an instant. This makes Harris's reliance on vibes a double-edged sword—what's trendy today might be passé tomorrow.
So, what’s the broader impact on political engagement with brands?
As much as social media has become a platform for grassroots mobilization, it’s also a minefield for brands, influencers, and creators trying to navigate a hyper-partisan landscape. Even well-intentioned "get out the vote" efforts can backfire if they’re perceived as too political or controversial.
The stakes are high, and every tweet, post, or video carries the potential to either galvanize a movement or spark backlash.
In this digital age, young voters aren’t just shaping the conversation—they are the conversation. Their influence on social media is driving the direction of campaigns, forcing politicians to adapt or risk irrelevance.
As the 2024 election unfolds this fall, it’s clear that the traditional rules of engagement have been rewritten, with Gen Z holding the pen.
Of course, everyone’s asking, “Where’s Taylor?” She may not be Gen Z or even Gen Alpha, but their greatest heroine has yet to make any waves in this election. Her involvement—or lack thereof—may have a significant impact on younger voters.
This will be an election that should be studied in schools, with high school and college campuses serving as battlegrounds for conversation, content creation, and campaign collaboration.
So with that, I can't wait to see more "first day of school" pics on Instagram... and wishing EVERYONE a great year ahead!
