In 2024, when my son turned 13, something shifted. What had been casual Roblox gaming in previous years evolved into something more concerning. Despite our screen time limits—several hours per week, which I thought was reasonable—he would constantly push boundaries, always needing “just five more minutes.”

At first, I thought this was normal teenage behavior. But then came that Tuesday evening that changed everything. As I walked past his room during his online Spanish class, I caught a glimpse of his screen. Split between the Zoom window and a YouTube tab playing gaming shorts, his attention ping-ponged between conjugating verbs and watching 30-second Roblox clips.

This pattern wasn’t isolated. I began noticing YouTube shorts playing during piano theory, gaming videos minimized during Chinese lessons. The multitasking was constant, his focus fractured. And then there was that glazed, disconnected look that had become all too familiar. When he finally logged off, he’d collapse on his bed, showing zero interest in anything else—no books, no outdoor activities, not even conversation. Just emptiness after the dopamine hit wore off.

And he doesn’t even have a phone yet. No TikTok, no Instagram—just a computer, and it was enough to create this pattern I was desperately trying to break.

Understanding the Enemy

As someone who’s spent two decades in tech—from Newegg to Cloudflare to Amazon—I understood the mechanics of digital addiction. There are three elements that make something addictive: potency (how rewarding it feels), immediacy (how quickly you get the reward), and frequency (how often you can access it).

I couldn’t change how potent these platforms were—billion-dollar companies designed them to be irresistible. I couldn’t alter their immediacy—that instant gratification was baked in. But frequency? That was the only lever I could pull. Yet I realized I’d been approaching it all wrong—focusing solely on restriction rather than replacement.

The Pivot: From Problem to Solution

Restrictions weren’t working. Time limits became battles. Parental controls became puzzles to solve. I realized I was fighting a losing war because I was trying to create a vacuum without filling it with something equally compelling.

Then it hit me: What if instead of competing against these platforms, I could create something that competed for my son’s attention? Something that hit the same psychological buttons but channeled them toward learning and growth?

The Experiment Begins

I started teaching my son coding and robotics in our garage. At first, it was rough. Solo lessons felt too much like homework. But then I invited his friend over, and everything changed. Suddenly, there was energy. Competition. Collaboration. They were debugging code together, racing their robots, and—most surprisingly—asking when we could do it again.

The magic wasn’t just in the content; it was in the social dynamics. When learning became a shared experience with other kids, it became magnetic. To be honest, the potency and immediacy of solving coding problems or building robots doesn’t match Roblox’s engineered dopamine hits. But something important was happening: they were engaged, they were creating and learning together. We weren’t winning every battle for their attention, but we were offering a meaningful alternative—one that built real skills while still being genuinely fun.

The Bigger Picture

As I watched them work, debugging code and troubleshooting their robots, I saw glimpses of something larger. These weren’t just kids playing with technology—they were learning to think like creators. And in a world being rapidly transformed by AI, that mindset has never been more critical.

AI isn’t just coming—it’s here, reshaping how we work, learn, and solve problems. Many industries will be disrupted by AI’s rapid advancement, and today’s young minds need to be equipped for this reality. Whether they become workers adapting to new tools, innovators creating breakthrough solutions, or entrepreneurs building entirely new ventures, they’ll need skills that go beyond traditional education.

These kids need three fundamental skills to thrive:

• Communication skills: Yes, traditional essays matter for developing clear thinking, but they also need to master the art of communicating with AI systems using natural language—crafting prompts, iterating on ideas, and articulating complex problems
• Problem-solving abilities: Whether through math, coding, or hands-on robotics, they need to think systematically and break down challenges into manageable pieces
• Real-world knowledge: Understanding how things work, from circuits to algorithms to human systems, so they can bridge the gap between digital solutions and actual human needs

From Garage Experiments to Foundation

What started as a father’s attempt to redirect his son’s attention has the potential to become something much bigger. I know other parents face the same struggles—the same battles over screen time, the same concerns about their children’s futures. I believe there are educators searching for better ways to engage students who seem unreachable. This isn’t just my family’s challenge—it’s a generational one.

That’s why I’m taking this beyond my garage. The AI & Robotics Youth Foundation (ARYF) was born from a simple belief: create learning experiences so engaging that kids would choose them over mindless scrolling. Make them accessible to everyone, regardless of background. Build a community where peer pressure pushes toward innovation, not just consumption.

Learning at ARYF

This is how I envision ARYF working—built around what actually engages kids this age:

Every young learner is different. Some are self-starters—motivated and disciplined enough to dive into online courses and explore independently. Others need the energy of peers to stay engaged, learning best when they can share discoveries and challenges with friends. And many, especially those still developing self-discipline, thrive when they have an instructor providing structure and real-time guidance.

Here’s what I’ve learned: at 13, when the pull of games and videos is strongest, most kids fall into the latter categories. They need the accountability of showing up, the social dynamics of learning alongside peers, and mentors who can redirect wandering attention in real-time.

That’s why we’re creating multiple pathways:

Multiple Learning Formats:

• Self-paced online courses for motivated and disciplined learners
• Small group sessions that blend peer learning with self-directed exploration
• Instructor-led workshops for hands-on projects and intensive skill building

Dynamic, Interest-Driven Curriculum

What will they learn? That depends on what sparks their curiosity. Our programs evolve based on student interests and emerging technologies. Current offerings include:

• Robotics with VEX V5: Both educational builds and competitive challenges that tap into their natural desire to win
• Coding: From Python basics to game development, bringing their ideas to life through programming
• AI Tools: Learning to work with AI as creative partners, not just consumers
• 3D Modeling & Printing: Turning imagination into tangible objects they can hold

These aren’t dry academic subjects; they’re fun, engaging, and genuinely rewarding. There’s nothing quite like the moment when their code finally works, their robot completes a VEX challenge, or their 3D design becomes something they can hold in their hands. As new technologies emerge and student interests shift, so do our programs—ensuring we’re always offering what’s most relevant and exciting.

Building a Sustainable Future

Once we develop our online courses, they cost virtually nothing to share—so we make them freely accessible to anyone with an internet connection. However, delivering quality hands-on programs requires significant investment: experienced instructors who can inspire young minds, robotics kits and 3D printers that cost thousands, workspace rentals for workshops, insurance, administrative staff to coordinate programs, and all the behind-the-scenes operations that keep a nonprofit running. I’m determined to solve this puzzle: making our programs accessible to all while building something that lasts.

Our Funding Philosophy:

We believe in maximizing access while building sustainably. Here’s how:

• Free Online Courses: Digital content, once created, becomes freely available to all learners worldwide
• Mixed Funding Sources: Community donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants help subsidize instructor-led programs
• Strategic Paid Programs: Select masterclasses and intensive workshops generate revenue that directly funds free offerings
• Sustainable Operations: This ecosystem approach ensures we can maintain quality staff and expand our reach simultaneously

Every contribution—whether through donations, volunteering, or program fees—helps another young mind access these transformative learning experiences. Learn more about how you can support our mission at aryf.org/ways-to-help.

Join the Movement

My son still plays Roblox. He still watches YouTube. But now, he also builds robots, codes projects, and most importantly, he has a community of peers who think learning and creating is as cool as consuming.

We’re not trying to eliminate screen time—we’re trying to make it count. Every child deserves the chance to be a creator in the age of AI, not just a consumer. This stems from our deep belief that the future belongs to those who can innovate and create with AI, not merely use it.

If you’re a parent facing similar battles over screen time, an educator seeking to engage distracted students, a professional wanting to mentor the next generation, or simply someone who shares our vision—join us. Help us empower young minds to not just navigate the age of AI, but to shape it and thrive in it.

Visit aryf.org to explore our programs and discover how you can be part of this transformation. Together, we can turn screen time struggles into opportunities for innovation.