As someone who’s spent most of my career at the intersection of finance and technology, I’ve always had a deep appreciation for how powerful tech can be. From my early days designing chips at Qualcomm to building platforms at AI Exchange that help people invest smarter, I’ve seen technology solve real problems and open up new possibilities.
But now, as a father of two young kids, I think about technology differently. I still see the potential—but I also see the risks. We’re not just building tools anymore. We’re living inside them. Algorithms shape what we see, what we believe, what we buy, and how we spend our time. As a parent, that’s both fascinating and a little terrifying.
I don’t want my kids to grow up afraid of technology. But I do want them to grow up aware of it. Here’s what I hope they’ll learn.
Tech Is a Tool, Not a Truth
One of the first lessons I want to pass on is that just because something is on a screen doesn’t make it true. Algorithms can recommend content, but they don’t judge it. They don’t care if something is kind, fair, or honest—they just optimize for clicks and engagement.
I want my kids to know that behind every suggestion is a system trying to guess what will keep their attention. And that system doesn’t always have their best interests in mind.
Technology isn’t evil, but it isn’t neutral either. I want them to approach it with curiosity and a healthy dose of skepticism. If they can ask, “Why am I being shown this?”—that’s a good start.
You’re the User, Not the Product
When I was growing up, we paid for things. Today, many of the most popular platforms are free—but they’re not really free. We pay with our attention, our data, and sometimes even our peace of mind.
That’s one of the hardest concepts to explain to a child, but one of the most important. If something is “free,” there’s probably a reason. And often, that reason is that you are what’s being sold.
I want my kids to understand how these systems work—not so they become cynical, but so they’re empowered. The more they know, the more they can choose how to engage, rather than being pulled along without realizing it.
Learn to Build, Not Just Consume
I believe strongly in helping kids become creators, not just consumers. I’m not suggesting every child needs to become a programmer (though that wouldn’t hurt). But I do think every child should understand the basics of how the digital world is built.
Whether it’s learning to code, experimenting with robotics, or simply understanding how websites and apps work, I want my kids to feel like they have agency in this world. Technology can be overwhelming if you only ever experience it from the outside. But once you peek behind the curtain—even a little—it becomes a lot less mysterious.
Knowing how things are built also teaches problem-solving, patience, and creativity. These are skills that apply far beyond the screen.
Attention Is Your Most Valuable Asset
In business, we talk a lot about time management. But I think attention management is just as important—maybe more.
I want my kids to understand that their attention is precious. Where they put it will shape their lives, their relationships, and their sense of self. Algorithms are designed to steal that attention, one notification or video or headline at a time.
It’s not about banning screens or going off the grid. It’s about teaching them to be intentional. To notice when they’re scrolling without purpose. To learn when to unplug and why it matters.
Some of the best moments in life happen in the pauses—in conversations without screens, in the silence after a long walk, in the ideas that come when we’re not distracted.
Values Matter More Than Metrics
One of the dangers of the algorithm-driven world is that it turns everything into a number: likes, shares, followers, views. It’s easy for kids (and adults) to start tying their worth to those numbers.
But numbers don’t measure character. They don’t capture kindness, integrity, or real connection. They can’t tell you if you’ve helped a friend or made someone feel heard.
I want my kids to value what’s real, not just what’s measurable. I want them to know that it’s okay to be unknown, to work behind the scenes, to choose depth over reach.
Technology should serve our values—not define them.
Tech Should Make Life Better, Not Just Faster
We often assume that faster is better. More efficient. More optimized. But I’ve learned that speed isn’t always the goal.
I want my kids to know that it’s okay to slow down. That not everything needs to be streamlined or automated. Some of the best things in life—relationships, creativity, growth—take time. And no algorithm can shortcut them.
If technology helps them connect more deeply, solve real problems, or express themselves more fully, then great. But if it’s just making life busier, louder, or more fragmented, it’s worth asking: Why am I using this? And is it helping me live the life I want?
Raising kids in the age of algorithms is a challenge none of us are fully prepared for. There’s no manual. And the tech is evolving faster than we can keep up.
But we do have something just as powerful as any algorithm: our example. How we use technology, how we talk about it, and how we show up in the offline world—that’s what our kids will notice most.
At the end of the day, I don’t want to protect my kids from technology. I want to prepare them to live wisely with it. To question it, understand it, and shape it in ways that reflect who they are—not just what’s trending.
That’s the future I want for them. And it starts with the choices we make today.
