The Kid Should See This  • June 3, 2025

🪲 WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEK:

The wing mechanics of 23 flying insects, captured in slow motion ➜

🦈 For nearly 14 years, TKSST has amplified videos that spark wonder, and if I happened upon a fake video, it was pretty obvious. Now, within two weeks of Google's Veo 3 release, my feeds have been flooded with more sophisticated AI-generated videos, making some fakes nearly indistinguishable from reality.

From optimizing GPS routes to improving accessibility for learners with disabilities, to processing scientific data that would take researchers years to analyze, AI can help in remarkable ways. But we face a defining moment in media literacy, critical thinking, creativity, and trust. How do we preserve genuine wonder and discovery when synthetic content becomes indistinguishable from reality?

AI-generated misinformation isn't new—we've seen deepfake voices and images, deliberately false science, hallucinatory summer reading lists, fake animals, and absurd animal-object hybrids that spawned endless “Italian brainrot” videos. Teaching our children to recognize and critically evaluate AI-generated content was already essential, but Veo 3 has changed the landscape. And this is just the beginning.

Here's what I know:

Wonder fuels learning. Research shows that when kids experience genuine awe, their brains become more primed to learn, not just about that specific wonder, but about everything that follows. Children who feel wonder learn more effectively, remember more, and stay engaged for longer. We can’t let big fakes replace small wonders.

Scientific literacy demands authenticity. When children can't distinguish what’s real, trust erodes. This isn't just about spotting deepfakes—it's about maintaining faith in discovery itself. Kids need both the ability to spot fake content and the capacity for genuine awe when witnessing real phenomena.

Shared discovery strengthens communities. When families and classrooms work together to identify fakes and celebrate authentic discoveries, we model both critical thinking and joy. These collective moments of wonder—whether recognizing a clever deepfake or marveling at real octopus camouflage—strengthen both learning and community bonds.

Democracy thrives on discernment. Citizens who can evaluate sources become stronger, better-informed participants in civic life.

In a world where anyone can generate convincing content in seconds, knowing trusted sources—the museums, scientists, artists, and educators who document their process, cite their sources, and engage with their communities—matters more than ever. These creators are the antidote to artificial spectacle. They're the ones who continue to make the internet better.

I also want to share more AI-specific media literacy resources for families and educators, so we can proactively talk with our children about the capabilities and limitations of AI. Start with Common Sense Media’s ChatGPT and Beyond: How to Handle AI in Schools and AI Literacy Lessons for Grades 6–12.

Teaching kids to think critically equips them to navigate our changing world thoughtfully, but it also keeps them open—to surprise, to joy, to bioluminescent algae and auroras, smiling quokkas, and so much more. This balance between discernment and delight shapes how we learn, connect, and choose to show up in the world. - Rion

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☀️ AND IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

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