Mike Overell — New Literacies - A Year of Tracking AI Products for Kids - December 2025
FreeA market map and research project on AI products that build foundational literacies for kids.
FreeFree tier
About Mike Overell — New Literacies - A Year of Tracking AI Products for Kids - December 2025
New Literacies is a research project by Mike Overell (product builder at ClassDojo and dad of three) that maps AI products for children and families. It evaluates over 150 products across nine 'literacies'—agility, persistence, adaptability, curiosity, creativity, judgment, connection, self-regulation, and purpose—that are foundational for navigating an AI-driven future. The site includes a market map with filters by literacy and learning category, a research vault, and practical guides for parents. It is not a parenting advice site but a transparent, in-progress exploration.
Key Features
Comprehensive market map of 150+ AI products for kids
Categorization by nine foundational literacies (agency, persistence, adaptability, etc.)
Filter by literacy, learning category, or audience (families, educators, developers)
Includes research vault with studies and frameworks
Practical guides and notes from the creator's own parenting journey
Curated and evaluated through the lens of building enduring skills
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free and openly accessible resource
- Curated by a product builder with real-world experience (ClassDojo)
- Evaluates products based on enduring literacies, not just skills
- Transparently shares ongoing research and open questions
- Regularly updated (tracking over a year)
Cons
- Subjective evaluation based on creator's framework
- May not cover every niche product
- No detailed product reviews or comparisons
- Still a work in progress
Best For
Parents seeking age-appropriate AI tools for childrenEducators looking for AI literacy resources for classroomsDevelopers building AI products for kids and wanting to understand landscapeResearchers studying AI in childhood developmentAnyone tracking the AI-for-kids market
FAQ
What is New Literacies?
A research project by Mike Overell that maps over 150 AI products for children, evaluated by nine foundational literacies that are important in an AI-driven world.
Who created New Literacies?
Mike Overell, a product builder at ClassDojo and father of three daughters, created it as a personal exploration to help parents and educators.
Is this a parenting advice site?
No. Mike Overell explicitly states he is not a parenting expert or academic; it is a transparent, in-progress sharing of his research and findings.
How are products categorized?
Products are categorized by three domains: Doing (Agency, Persistence, Adaptability), Thinking (Curiosity, Creativity, Judgment), and Being (Connection, Self-Regulation, Purpose). They can also be filtered by learning category and audience.