You’ve probably watched your kid fall in love with a new learning app, only for it to disappear months later when funding runs dry. That sting? It’s becoming a universal parenting moment in today’s AI frenzy. Grindr’s CEO George Arison recently put it plainly to Business Insider: venture capitalists are acting like a ‘herd,’ blindly following trends where ‘wherever the three sheep go, everybody else follows.’ What if those vanished apps actually teach our kids grit through temporary disappointments? This bubble isn’t just about stocks—it’s about raising grounded humans in a whirlwind digital world.
How Does the AI Bubble Hurt Real Digital Connections for Kids?
Last year saw over $100 billion pour into AI ventures—a staggering jump from $55.6 billion just before. Yet Arison, whose company Grindr now calls itself ‘AI-first,’ warns this rush is fragile, especially for consumer apps. Imagine your child’s favorite storytelling tool vanishing tomorrow because investors pulled out. Sound familiar? That’s the ‘application bubble’ he describes: flashy, short-lived tools chasing quick wins instead of lasting value.
We’ve all felt it—that moment when a buzzy app promises wonder but leaves kids (and parents!) stranded when it folds. What’s lost? Kids start doubting tech magic itself, hesitating to engage deeply. Like our Korean halmoni taught me, patience blooms slower than AI trends. True learning tools grow like gardens—rooted in real needs, not investor panic.
How Can We Raise Tech-Resilient Kids Amid Digital Turmoil?
Arison’s take isn’t all doom: some companies will thrive (‘very, very successful,’ he says), while others crumble. This mirrors life itself—seasons change, but strong foundations endure. For kids, that means focusing less on trending apps and more on timeless skills no bubble can pop: curiosity, critical thinking, and bouncing back when things glitch.
Last weekend, my niece sketched robots on paper after her coding app froze. ‘Now I make my own rules!’ she declared, folding origami dragons instead. That spark—turning frustration into creation—is the resilience we nurture. When an app fails, ask, ‘What can we build together without screens?‘ We tried this just last Sunday: burnt pancakes (messy like kimchi pancakes but full of flavor!) sparked more giggles than any app. The goal isn’t anti-tech; it’s showing kids their imagination outlasts algorithms.
How Can Parents Be Calm Anchors in the Digital Tech Storm?
Here’s the beautiful part: this frenzy actually gifts us clarity. As Arison notes, bubbles are ‘an inevitable component of how venture capital works,’ but they spotlight what matters. While investors chase quick returns, parents plant deeper roots—like moments where tech enhances connection rather than replaces it.
Notice how often we default to digital babysitters during chaos? Next time screens tempt you, pause. Brew cocoa, roll dice for spontaneous board games, or hum tunes while walking. One dad confessed swapping 10 minutes of phone-zombie time for sidewalk-chalk races made bedtime talks flow smoother. Small shifts build trust outlasting any app. And hey, if your kitchen smells like a campfire from pancake experiments? Laugh—imperfection glues real connection.
What Bright Side Exists for Kids Amidst AI Bubble Hype?
Yes, some AI tools will vanish—but others reshape learning meaningfully. Arison’s insight shines here: while applications are volatile, foundational AI companies remain steady. For parents, this means spotting gimmicks versus gold. Does the app spark ‘How does this work?’ questions? Or just numb busywork?
I’ve watched kids light up when coding feels like play—using open-source tools to animate drawings. Start small: claim one screen-free hour daily for shared discovery. Hunt shape-shifting clouds, count park birds, or trade ‘screen stories’ for family tales under stars. When kids see wonder everywhere—not just online—they grow unswayed by hype. And when the next app blows away like dandelion fluff? They’ll know true magic lives in their hands, hearts, and your shared laughter under the stars—no VC funding required.
Source: Grindr’s CEO says there is a ‘VC bubble’ forming around AI, Business Insider, 2025/08/31 09:55:01