Artificial intelligence may be transforming the way people work, communicate, and learn, but Texas State Representative Jolanda Jones believes it is also creating a generation of young people who are losing some of the most important skills needed to succeed in life. During a Houston Community Media interview as part of its “Who Cares About Our Youth?” series, Jones delivered a passionate and deeply personal assessment of the challenges facing students in Texas, arguing that AI, social media, and changes in education are combining to undermine critical thinking, resilience, and authentic human development. The discussion focused on youth, public education, mental health, and the growing influence of technology on children and teenagers across the state.
A Crisis Beyond Test Scores
Introduced by Houston Community Media Co-Director Nakia Cooper as a longtime advocate for education, civil rights, and underserved communities, Jones drew on her experience as a former Houston ISD trustee and current State Representative for District 147 to describe what she believes is a troubling moment for public education. Cooper asked Jones to address concerns about declining student achievement, chronic absenteeism, student disengagement, and worsening mental health among young people.
Jones did not hesitate.
“So specifically as it relates to HISD, the TEA takeover screwed everything,” she said, adding that artificial intelligence has only intensified existing problems. “My big problem with AI is… kids are not using their brains.”
According to Jones, technology has removed many of the opportunities students once had to develop reasoning and problem-solving skills. She argued that previous generations had to think through challenges independently, while today’s students increasingly rely on technology to complete even simple tasks. “They literally have no developed, critically thinking brains,” she said. “And it terrifies me.”
The Cost of Convenience
Throughout the conversation, Jones repeatedly returned to one central concern. She believes convenience has come at the expense of intellectual growth.
“If I were a teacher,” she said, “I would make kids handwrite everything.”
She praised educators who continue to require handwritten assignments, saying that writing by hand forces students to organize their thoughts, improve grammar, and develop independent reasoning. Jones warned that if society becomes completely dependent on artificial intelligence, future generations may lose the ability to perform basic tasks without technological assistance.
“You have to be able to think critically,” she said. “When you stop using it, you lose it.”
Jones extended her concerns beyond classrooms, arguing that AI is also affecting higher education and even the legal profession. She described seeing attorneys relying on AI-generated legal citations that proved to be inaccurate because they failed to verify their research independently. “AI is just creating dumber people,” she said. “It makes dumber people who are more and more reliant on AI.”
Social Media and the Mental Health Challenge
The discussion also explored the influence of social media on children and teenagers. Jones expressed concern that many young people compare themselves to unrealistic images and lifestyles largely created through filters and digital manipulation.
“People are seeing what they believe is true in other people, and they’re judging themselves compared to that,” she explained.
She argued that many young people struggle to develop healthy self-esteem because they constantly measure themselves against unrealistic online portrayals. Parents, she said, have an increasingly important role in helping children understand their worth beyond what appears on a screen.
“It’s really important for their parents to teach them that they’re okay, regardless of what everybody else is doing.”
Jones also questioned the growing reliance on AI chatbots for emotional support, saying she worries some individuals are replacing trained mental health professionals with artificial intelligence. She warned that AI systems may simply tell users what they want to hear rather than challenge unhealthy thinking or provide appropriate care.
Teaching Children to Think, Not Just to Click
When asked whether Texas has adequate policies protecting children online, Jones said she believes lawmakers have not done enough to address the educational impact of AI. She suggested students should be prohibited from using artificial intelligence during elementary school, middle school, and at least the first years of high school, allowing them to build strong academic foundations before introducing advanced technology.
“I don’t know how we fix it unless we ban AI technology from kids,” Jones said.
She emphasized that children must first learn how to think independently before using tools designed to simplify thinking. Even if AI eventually becomes part of classroom instruction, Jones believes students should complete their own work first before using technology to review or improve it. “The only way for it to work is for us to do the work first, and then let AI look at it,” she said.
Parents and Communities Must Get Involved
Jones encouraged ethnic media organizations to play a larger role in educating families about both the opportunities and dangers of artificial intelligence. “Print articles about it,” she urged. “Let people choose to read it or not.”
She also revealed plans to organize a town hall meeting for her constituents to discuss the growing influence of AI on education and family life. Jones believes many parents simply do not understand how quickly technology is changing childhood and hopes greater public awareness can lead to better decisions at home.
“There is a benefit to struggle,” she said. “And AI does not make kids struggle.”
That statement became one of the defining themes of the conversation. Jones argued that learning perseverance through difficult tasks prepares young people for life’s inevitable challenges, while constant technological shortcuts leave them less equipped to handle setbacks and disappointment.
A Personal Appeal for the Next Generation
Near the conclusion of the interview, Jones became emotional as she explained why the issue matters so deeply to her. Reflecting on personal family tragedies involving suicide, she connected emotional resilience with the ability to face life’s difficulties.
“Being able to deal with reality is a really important skill set,” she said. “AI takes that from you.”
Before signing off, Jones reaffirmed her commitment to continuing to educate families and communities about the issue. “I am going to have a town hall about the dangers of AI,” she announced. “I believe the world is run by those who show up.”
Her message offered both a warning and a challenge. As technology continues to reshape education, Jones believes the responsibility belongs not only to lawmakers and educators but also to parents, community leaders, and the media to ensure that future generations develop the character, critical thinking, and resilience needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world.