Do you remember feeling excited about VR only to find it didn’t quite fit into family life? There was this huge wave of excitement—like we were on the edge of something totally new. We thought virtual reality would change everything! But then came the expensive headsets, the dizzying screens, and eventually… silence. That’s not the future we wanted. And now, as parents standing at the edge of another tech wave—AI—we can do better.
The Ghost of Hype Past: When Big Promises Don’t Fit in the Living Room
Okay, let’s be honest. VR sounded EPIC. Merging digital and real worlds, immersive games, remote meetings that felt close. The messaging around it was strong! But real life had other plans. As pointed out by the Nielsen Norman Group, when big promises lose touch with everyday experiences, you end up with tech that feels more like an obstacle than a help. Like that clunky gadget you try once and tuck away because… well, your old knife just works better. VR promised to blend, but too often blocked real connection—falling short of enhancing, instead pushing us apart.
And that’s the real lesson: tech that pulls us apart? It rarely sticks. Especially not where families are growing together. Tech that fits our lives is the kind we keep—and love using.
Riding the ‘Trough of Disillusionment’—and Why It’s AMAZING!
Anyway, when a new technology doesn’t live up to its initial massive hype, it often drops into what experts call the “trough of disillusionment.” Sounds depressing, right? Nope. I see it differently. It’s actually where the good stuff begins. Think about that flashy new toy that grabbed all the attention on opening day. First day, full focus. Then comes boredom. Soon after, forgotten. Fast forward a week, and look—they’ve turned the box into a cardboard spaceship. The spark has shifted. The simple joy remains.
This trough is filtering out what matters from what’s just noise. VR didn’t disappear; it evolved toward spaces that made sense. And that’s great news for us parents! We don’t have to follow every loud wave. We get to choose what lands softly in our homes—what brings lasting fun, not flashy frustration.
So, What About AI? Let’s Ground the Rocket Ship!
Alright, now AI is skyrocketing. The excitement feels the same. Bigger, maybe. But it helps to remember—this is our second chance to lead with wisdom. Why not ask a different question? Instead of “What can AI do?” why not try: “How can AI bring a little more connection to our everyday life?” That feels closer to home.
We’re not escaping reality—we’re adding color to it. A few weeks ago, my daughter and I were making up stories. She imagined a three-headed purple monster who baked cookies. We didn’t stop there—we brought him to life on screen. Her eyes lit up. Not because the tech was impressive, but because it extended our imagination. Together. That kind of experience adds joy, not distance.
Your Family’s Guide to Thriving Past the Hype
Finding that balance feels a bit like making kimchi—you preserve what’s essential while letting new flavors deepen the taste. Staying grounded means choosing tools that add to our values, not stir them up.
- Focus on the “Why,” Not Just the “Wow!”: Before hitting “try,” step back. Ask “Why this?” If it’s because it’s flashy—pause. If it builds curiosity, creativity, or kindness? Hit go. Tools with purpose turn gadget time into growth time.
- Be the Co-Explorer, Not the Gatekeeper: You don’t need to be the expert! Just be curious. Say, “Let’s discover this together.” When kids know you’re learning too, they feel safe to explore and fail. That turns screen time into togetherness time.
- Celebrate Simple, Practical Magic: Remember the VR lesson—expensive doesn’t mean better. A free bird-identifier app during a walk or a doodle animation tool is still a win. These small boosts of wonder are part of modern life. As noted in this Digiday article, tech becomes powerful when it personalizes experiences—and those tiny wins make real moments richer. That’s what matters.
The Real Revolution is Always Connection
I love looking outside my window right now—the sky is so clear. That’s how I want to handle all this. Amidst clouds of hype, we search for clarity. And clarity comes not from whiz-bang tools—but from how they bring us closer. No matter how advanced something is, it will never beat a shared laugh, a joint project, or even a silly bedtime story made with friends like that three-headed baker.
AI is a new color in our creative kit. We’re still the artists shaping the canvas. Every interaction is a choice—to build connection, kindness, laughter. That’s not tech hype. That’s hope. And that’s the future I want to raise my daughter in—one messy, joyful, heartfelt moment at a time.
Source: The VR Hype Cycle: Lessons for the Age of AI, Nielsen Norman Group, 2025/09/05 17:00:00