Joy, Connection & Critical Thinking: What My 8-Year-Old Taught Me About AI
Reminder: we are accepting applications for Here Comes The Fun through the end of this week! If you’re working on solutions that help young people engage with tech in joyful, creative ways, we want to hear from you. Learn more and apply here.
Young Futures Community,
A recent convergence of events in NYC around a brighter and more responsible tech future for young people made crystal clear: this is just not a moment, it’s a groundswell.
From the Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund convening of young changemakers, to the powerful Archewell Lost Screen Memorial honoring young people who have lost their lives to social media, to a vital roundtable on the future of responsible tech hosted by the Clinton Global Initiative—and finally, to our event celebrating the launch of our Here Comes the Fun Challenge…we witnessed the strength of this community firsthand.
Yesterday, that momentum continued—from strategy sessions and future planning with our partners at Susan Crown Exchange to an inspiring gathering with the Grantmakers for Thriving Youth, fueling our shared mission to create a brighter tomorrow.
But the energy doesn’t stop there, and neither do we.
Spending time with so many leaders working at the intersection of youth wellbeing and tech has me reflecting on the future—and how we can better serve young people. You guessed it: I’m thinking about AI.
My 8-year old daughter taught me an important lesson about AI’s role in learning last week. She was working on a school project on Sky Brown, the (awesome) Olympic skateboarder. She was curious about ChatGPT and asked to test it—but after a few attempts, she pushed back.
"These answers are just from ChatGPT. They’re not my answers. I don’t like them," she said.
She has been so excited about this project, and something about using ChatGPT to do the work felt very unsatisfying to her. So, we switched gears. We watched old interviews, wrote down her insights about what stood out. She thought critically. She made connections, and loved the process. And, she ended up with something she was proud of. More on this here.
The question is, how long will she push back? And how (and when) can we help her, and all young people, navigate AI by helping them lean into its power in age appropriate ways, while still preserving everything that makes learning joyful…the journey, not the destination.
This is just a preview into our thinking for our (soft launch incoming…) Youth + AI Funding Challenge this fall. We are so excited to fund solutions that help young people harness AI as a tool for agency, not just efficiency.
New York reminded us that none of this happens alone. Whether through funding, policy, or simply being in community, we’re shaping a future where tech serves young people—not the other way around.
Thanks for being on this journey with us.
With gratitude,
Katya Hancock
CEO, Young Futures
Young Futures in the News
May 6, LinkedIn Article, YF’s CEO, Katya Hancock, reflects on a lesson from her 8-year-old daughter, who rejected ChatGPT’s answers for a school project, choosing instead to think critically and explore—revealing how true learning thrives in "explorer mode," not just achievement mode. With teens already using AI independently, Katya argues we must teach them to harness its power thoughtfully, preserving the joy of deep learning while avoiding cognitive crutches, and announces that in the fall, Young Futures’ will be launching a Youth + AI Challenge, a $1M initiative to fund solutions that help young people build AI fluency and agency—because the goal isn’t just to prepare kids for an AI-driven future, but to ensure they help shape it.
May 5, LinkedIn Article, We at Young Futures believe funding opportunities should be accessible, not intimidating—which is why our Here Comes the Fun Challenge Applicant Info Session brought together 119 innovators from 35 states to demystify the process, answer questions in real time, and empower organizations of all sizes to apply with confidence. With $1M in funding available for solutions that reimagine positive digital play for teens, we covered everything from eligibility (nonprofits, schools, and fiscally sponsored projects welcome!) to impact metrics (show us your evidence, whether it’s boosting connection or reducing screen stress). From DIY video submissions to collaborative proposals, we’re breaking down barriers—because great ideas shouldn’t get lost in grant jargon. Missed the session? Watch the recap here or reach out to team@youngfutures.org if you have any questions.
May 1, LinkedIn Article, YF’s Co-Founder & CEO, Katya Hancock, shares her journey from fintech to impact-driven innovation, shaped by her immigrant upbringing and early fascination with tech’s double-edged power—like the thrill and unease of her first AOL chatroom. Now, as a mother and startup veteran, she leads Young Futures with a blend of scrappy founder energy and deep community focus, scaling the "YF 500" to empower teens and grassroots nonprofits co-creating healthier digital futures. Whether advocating for youth agency, modeling tech boundaries (goodbye, Instagram scrolls!), or bridging Silicon Valley with nonprofits and solutions, Katya’s mission is clear: equip the next generation not just to survive the digital age, but to redesign it—one intentional algorithm at a time.
Young Futures Innovators in the News
Under Pressure Cohort YF Innovator Carolyn Gan of Cal Partners Project is revolutionizing family wellness with their latest guide on family-tested strategies to get kids moving called Tech/Life Balance: Helping Families Thrive in a Digital World, Movement and Outdoor Activity Family Guide. This free resource empowers families to move more and scroll less, offering simple, science-backed strategies to weave activity into daily life—without adding stress. Packed with family-tested tips, easy conversation starters, and creative solutions to overcome screen time and safety concerns, the guide makes active play accessible for all.
Lonely Hearts Cohort YF Innovators Diana Turner and Alex Owens of BeLoud Studios are partnering with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to create Voices of I Am New Orleans, a powerful new podcast series that amplifies the voices of young leaders shaping the future of our city. In each episode, local youth share real stories and bold ideas alongside community partners tackling urgent issues like food insecurity, workforce development, and equity. This series offers an authentic look at the challenges New Orleans youth face—and the transformative work they’re doing to drive change.
Spotlight on Youth Voices
Why do college decisions feel like a high-stakes game with no rules? Emma G., an 18-year-old senior from Charlotte, NC, tackles this emotional rollercoaster in her article, How to Survive College Decisions This Week. Drawing from her own nerve-wracking experience, Emma reveals how she and her friends crafted a mental health survival guide to navigate the cutthroat college admissions process. With honesty and empathy, she shares their pact—keeping applications private, avoiding immediate decision discussions, and celebrating choices only after the dust settles—to protect their wellbeing and friendships. Her practical advice, from managing expectations to embracing mantras of self-acceptance, offers a lifeline to stressed seniors. Emma’s message is clear: college decisions don’t define you, and solidarity can make the journey bearable—even empowering.
What We’re Reading (& Watching)
Distraction-Free Schools: Governor Hochul Announces New York to Become Largest State in the Nation With Statewide, Bell-to-Bell Restrictions on Smartphones in Schools (New York State, May 6)
How video games can impact your career (Phys.org, May 6)
Schools across the U.S. are banning phones. How far should restrictions go? (Deseret News, May 4)
What if this isn't the anxious generation — but the attuned one? (Kate Woodsome Substack, Apr 30)
A Global Flourishing Study Finds That Young Adults, Well, Aren’t (The New York Times, Apr 30)
Rethinking School in the Age of AI (Center for Humane Technology, Apr 21)
The Mental Health Crisis Among Kids Is Growing—Can Tech Help? (Behavioral Health News, Apr 16)
U.S. teens need far more emotional and social support (American Psychological Association, Apr 1)
Decision Day: Should You Post About Where Your Child Is Going to College? (Devorah Heitner, PhD, Apr 2025)
Who's watching the kids? (Technically Optimistic, Jun 05, 2024)
Talking to Teens
Why is your 8-year-old suddenly acting like a moody teenager? In her recent Wall Street Journal article, clinical psychologist Sheryl Gonzalez Ziegler explores the surprising emotional shifts in middle childhood, linking them to earlier puberty and modern stressors like climate anxiety and school safety drills. Drawing from her work with families—including one 8-year-old girl overwhelmed by big emotions—Ziegler reveals how today’s kids face pressures their parents never imagined. With actionable advice, she guides parents on navigating this overlooked phase: name feelings, normalize puberty talks, and model resilience. The key insight? These "forgotten years" are a critical window to build trust—before the teen storm hits. Read now for a roadmap to raising emotionally grounded tweens in an overwhelming world.
Funding Opportunities
Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation Local Grant Program is now accepting proposals for 2025, offering funding to ten U.S.-based nonprofits dedicated to mental health initiatives. The Foundation prioritizes organizations that provide direct access to care, awareness, and education, with a focus on local, community-driven support. Eligible nonprofits must be registered 501(c)(3) public charities in good standing, operational for at least one year, and have a mission centered on mental health access. Priority will be given to independent organizations with annual revenues under $10 million and those that have not received a Saks Foundation grant in the past two years. The application closes on July 1, 2025. For more details and to apply, check out the application page. If you have any questions or need more details,reach out to saksfoundation-apply@saks.com. Apply now!