Four ways parents can help teens use AI safely

(American Psychological Association)



Your teenager is already using artificial intelligence daily—often without even realizing it. Unlike social media, where teens know they’re talking to people, AI works invisibly through predictive text, chatbots, and personalized recommendations, shaping their experiences in ways teenagers don’t recognize.

APA’s health advisory, “Artificial Intelligence and Adolescent Well-being,” reveals both promising opportunities and important challenges with AI technology for teens. With adolescence (ages 10–25) constituting a critical period of brain development, understanding how to navigate AI thoughtfully can help maximize benefits while avoiding potential pitfalls.

“Like social media, AI is neither inherently good nor bad,” says APA Chief of Psychology Mitch Prinstein, PhD. “But we have already seen instances where adolescents developed unhealthy ‘relationships’ with chatbots. Some adolescents may not even know they are interacting with AI, which is why it is crucial that developers put guardrails in place now.” 

ASK is proud to curate the virtual Save A Life Wellness Fair which will connect you to resources that support Substance Misuse Prevention, Treatment and Recovery; Mental Health and Opportunities for Thoughtful Service.

Click here to view the virtual Save A Life Wellness Fair and download the application on your phone. You never know when you, a friend, neighbor or loved one may need this vital information and by having it readily available it truly may be the most important gift you have ever given yourself or shared.

Life is hard, let’s be prepared to take good care of ourselves and one another.

There are a variety of volunteer opportunities at awesome nonprofits throughout Westchester and Putnam Counties. To view these opportunities, please check out Volunteer New York!

The John C. Hart Memorial Library in Shrub Oak can always use some volunteers! To find out about their Teen Volunteer Program, click here.

Calling all high school students! Join the Yorktown Lions Club for their 31st Annual Summer Concert Series in the park! All shows take place at Jack DeVito Field Veterans Plaza on Veterans Road in Yorktown. They are FREE to all & family friendly. High school aged volunteers are needed to help set up, assist with raffles and food, crafts, and break down. For more information and to sign up, click here.

Weekly Spotlight Family Support Groups

From our partners at Drug Crisis in Our Backyard, weekly Spotlight Family Support Groups, held virtually every Tuesday and Wednesday via Zoom. Spotlight on Recovery is a Family Educational and Support Group for families struggling with a loved one misusing substances. For more information, click here.

Virtual Naloxone Training 

Naloxone is a prescription medicine that reverses an overdose by blocking heroin or other opioids in the nervous system for 30-90 minutes. Naloxone is administered by injection or intranasal. Following training, participants receive a kit by mail. Presented by our partners at Drug Crisis in Our Backyard. Please inquire about setting up a virtual training by contact Susan Salomone at: ssal@drugcrisisinourbackyard.com.

Feeling overwhelmed? Join Us for Nervous System Regulation and Gentle Movement

This will be a safe space where we may connect and come home to ourselves. Practice may be done from a seated position, with options to stand for moving meditations. For more information, click here.

“Helping Students Enhance Their Well Being by Making Healthy Decisions and Remaining Substance Free” 

A partnership between a parent/guardian and Student Assistance Counselor best supports the nurturing of the social and emotional wellbeing of students. We encourage you to contact the SAC at your child's school for a confidential consultation.

Click here to learn more.

Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School

Ms. Finan, MS

lfinan@lakelandschools.org

August 4 - Yorktown Police Department’s National Night Out

Join ASK and our community partners at the Yorktown Police Department’s National Night Out! There will be live music, fun for the kids, tractor hay rides, food, beverages and the chance to meet and chat with the men and women of the YPD. This wonderful community event will be held at the Jack DeVito Veterans’ Memorial Track and Field, 6pm - 9pm. See you there! 

August 10 - Supporting Emotional Regulation in Kids: Providing a Foundation to Manage Big Emotions 

Children aren’t born knowing how to manage emotions or express feelings in appropriate ways. And when children don’t understand their emotions, challenging behavior can arise. This webinar will help you find ways to create healthy connections with kids, understand how to calm the child’s nervous system, and teach you skills to practice. Part 1 in a 3-part series. Register here.

August 11 - THC INC.

SAM’s CEO, Dr. Kevin Sabet co-produced and recently released his new documentary THC INC. This free screening program is designed to support education, awareness, and informed community dialogue around high-potency THC, youth well-being, and the modern cannabis landscape. Click here for more information.

August 24 - Supporting Emotional Regulation in Kids: Managing Emotional Storms

Despite our best efforts to prepare children to manage big storms of emotions, they will struggle sometimes. Managing emotional storms takes emotional & physical maturity, and practice. In this webinar we’ll look at the warning signs that indicate an emotional storm is on the horizon, interventions to support children when they feel an emotional storm brewing, and how to reduce the impact of the storm. Part 2 in a 3-part series. 

Register here.

August 25 - Phones at School, Habits at Home: A Pediatrician’s Perspective  

As schools across the country introduce cell phone bans and new phone policies, many families are seeing both benefits and challenges at school and at home. Join Operation Parent, Pediatrician Dr. Molly O’Shea and Ashley Horne with AAP as they discuss healthy media habits, the impact of phones on youth mental health, and how to recognize signs of Problematic Media Use (PMU) while helping kids build healthier relationships with technology. Register here.

NAMI Westchester

The families and members of NAMI Westchester are here to help! They offer understanding to anyone concerned about mental illnesses and the treatment of mental illness. To view their calendar, click here.

Westchester Breathes is an ongoing program offered by the Westchester Library System offering an experience of gentle movement, breathing and relaxation exercises that reduce stress and anxiety and increase a sense of calm and well-being. These exercises are simple and evidence-based – which is to say…they work! They are free and on Zoom. Register here.