Artificial intelligence and chatbots are becoming a daily reality in classrooms and in homes. Students might use them for academic help, emotional reassurance and social interaction. For many educators, this raises a difficult question:

Is AI contributing to antisocial behavior. If so, what should schools do about it?

At Lift with Boys Town, our answer isn’t rooted in banning technology or reacting with fear. Instead, it’s grounded in something far more enduring: intentional teaching of social skills, human connection, and preventive practices which is the foundation of the Boys Town Education Model®.

Technology Changes. Human Needs Don’t.

AI tools may be new, but the developmental needs of students are not. Students still need to learn how to:

• Communicate face-to-face
• Show empathy
• Listen actively
• Resolve conflict
• Navigate relationships responsibly

The Boys Town Education Model, grounded in applied behavior analysis and social learning theory, is intentionally designed to work regardless of the tools present in a classroom. Whether students are using paper, laptops, or AI, the principles remain the same: teach, model, practice and reinforce.

Can the Boys Town Education Model Apply in AI-Rich Classrooms?

Yes!

When students use AI for academic or social support, educators can still:

• Humanize the school experience by prioritizing relationships and community
• Explicitly teach social skills, rather than assuming they’ll develop organically
• Empower self-management, helping students understand when technology is helpful

AI can support learning, but it cannot replace intentional instruction in social behavior. The Boys Town model reinforces that social skills are not are essential to academic success and long-term outcomes.

What If AI Teaches the Wrong Social Messages?

If an AI tool models inappropriate responses, avoidance behaviors, or socially unhealthy patterns, the solution isn’t removing students from learning.

Educators play an irreplaceable role by:

• Modeling appropriate social behavior
• Providing structured opportunities to practice skills in real settings
• Reinforcing positive interactions with specific feedback
• Monitoring technology use and supplementing it with human-led instruction

Social skills must be taught with the same clarity and consistency as academics. 

Parents Are Part of the Solution

Addressing AI and social development isn’t a school-only effort. Strong family partnerships help ensure skills taught at school transfer into everyday life.

Effective schools:

• Build relationships with families before problems arise
• Offer flexible involvement options that respect family schedules
• Communicate positively and consistently
• Encourage families to reinforce social skills at home

When parents and schools work together, students receive a consistent message: technology is a tool, not a substitute for human connection.

At Lift with Boys Town, we help schools move beyond reactionary discipline and toward sustainable, human-centered systems that support every student.