Emily Oster, a parenting expert and economics professor at Brown University, shared insights on the anxiety parents face regarding technology during an interview with CNBC Make It at OpenAI's ChatGPT for Teens Parent Forum.

She pointed out that if parents only focused on headlines, they might believe there is a '10% chance that it's going to kill us all' and that technology is 'incredibly dangerous for teens.'

Oster acknowledged that the constant barrage of alarming news about new and existing tech can be anxiety-inducing for parents.

However, she advises against extreme measures like isolating children from technology until they are 18. Instead, she recommends that parents become informed about new online platforms.

Oster believes that parents should explore these tools to gain firsthand knowledge, stating, 'I do think there is value for parents in exploring some of these tools.'

She explained that the aim is not necessarily to make immediate decisions about their children's use of technology but to understand these platforms better.

This understanding can help alleviate fears, as parents may find that these tools are not as threatening as they appear, or at least feel more empowered to set appropriate boundaries.

Oster emphasized the importance of a stable home environment, saying, 'A stable home environment with parents who love them, who are supporting them, that is the thing that you control.'

She noted that parents often invest too little time in nurturing their home life compared to worrying about external factors.

Research from the American Psychological Association supports her view, indicating that a warm and open home life with appropriate limits correlates with higher self-esteem and better academic performance in children.

Oster encourages parents to focus on providing love and support at home, as well as establishing rules like limiting screen time overnight, reminding them of the significance of this foundation when their children face the outside world.