EB Psychotherapy Blog

Nowadays, K-12 teachers deal with a demanding and inescapable issue: children are using AI to write all of their papers, leading thought-based assignments and critical thinking exercises to be more difficult to deploy. It is becoming near impossible to be able to encourage children and teenagers to want to utilize their own academic effort, creative ideas, and personal gifts of intelligence. In a culture where speed and productivity have been so heavily emphasized, it makes sense why children want to save time and energy --- or are even simply going to do so by default, habit.

Moving into the year 2026, it's time to think about how we want to model and care for our developing children in the age of increasing dependence on technology. We do not want to shame technology use, parents who encourage technology use, or the way society is progressing with artificial intelligence. Defiance and a deeply negative attitude might not help us bond with our children over artificial intelligence the way we want to and need to. It's understandable that we want to have some level of denial about the world we live in when it feels too hard and heavy to hold.

​​​​​​It's normal to feel like the victim. 

The rise and development of AI in society raises important concerns when it comes to children's cognitive, emotional, and social development; the influx of AI integration is becoming reflected in parenting norms, mainstream media and literature, as well as schools and education systems. We may not see child development the same way again, so it is important we stay ahead of the curve and make intentional decisions about how we want our children to experience AI in their lifetime while we are raising them --- especially while they are very young.

As the year draws to a close and 2026 is about to begin, many of us find ourselves standing at a familiar crossroads: reflecting on what has happened to us, and beginning to envision what we want to come next. For individuals navigating mental health challenges, this season of transition presents a meaningful opportunity to approach change with compassion instead of expectation, regret, self-hate, and negativity. 

Across cultures, religions, and communities, December is a month rich with ritual, meaning, and opportunities for connection. While the dominant cultural narrative often emphasizes Christmas, the broader picture is far more diverse. People around the world mark this month with celebrations of light, reflection, resilience, renewal, and community.

In the mental health world, during the winter time, we are apt to discuss those who suffer through the holiday season because it highlights prolonged seasons of isolation in their lives, prompting grief, regret, and depression. In the US, we look at the months of November, December, and January as a time of gathering for a myriad of holidays.

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools become woven into the fabric of daily life, an undercurrent of emotional fatigue is rising. Many people report feeling less inspired, less capable, or strangely disconnected from their own creativity. Beneath the excitement, a quieter cultural sentiment is forming: devaluation of the human spirit.